I spent some time at the Assessors office trying to understand the best approach to what we can do about the huge property tax increase.

There seem to be two issues of concern in the tax increase.

Part One – We all received high assessments on our homes because the sale prices were very high. Even the sales in 2007 and the second half of 2006 are “assumed” to be high since the sale prices in 2008 were very high. The earlier sales were reevaluated up to match the overall increase in sale prices. It is hard to argue this. You have the right to file an appeal. It must be done by June 1st. It doesn’t look like any of us will be successful with that because it is all based on the actual sales and is done according to Colorado law.

Part Two is the mill levy. Some of the authorities that receive taxes have a mill levy that is controlled by the TABOR law which limits the rate of tax growth to the rate of inflation plus the rate of growth due to new construction. Some other authorities have a fixed mill levy which means they will collect a much larger amount when the assessed rates go up. This fixed rate was approved by the voters. If the assessed rate goes up by 50% the amount of money they receive from the taxes will increase by 50%. Due to the particular situation at present, these entities will have a true windfall while the rest of us are dealing with difficult economic times.

We all have the right to call these authorities and request that they lower their mill levy so that they will collect maybe 5% or 10% more than previous year, not 50% more than the previous year. Since these groups are here to serve us I think they will listen to us. They realize that for them to have a windfall while we have a tax burden is not right. Your calm voice expressing concern along with hundreds of other people should make a difference.

Below are the taxing authorities with fixed mill levies. We can request that they reduce the rate to something reasonable under the present circumstances.

Beginning in August there will be community meetings to discuss this. It is important to attend these meetings and let your voice be heard. Calling now is a good idea, too. New mill levies will be set during the months of September through November. You might also want to call the county commissioners to register your opinion.

Cari

TAXING AUTHORITIES WITH FIXED MILL LEVIES

CITY OF ASPEN – Paul Menter 920 5027
ASPEN HISTORIC PARK/RECREATION – Edna Adeh 925 3721
ASPEN VALLEY HOSPITAL – Michael Younger 544 1261
CMC – Debbie Crawford – 945 8691 ext 8535
PITKIN CO OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS – Dale Will – 920 5203
SNOWMASS WATER AND SANITATION – Kit Hamby – 923 2056
TOWN OF SNOWMASS VILLAGE – Marianne Rakowski – 923 3777

ASPEN FIRE PROTECTION – Jack Simmons – 925 5532
BASALT AND RURAL FIRE PROTECTION – Jennifer Lemke – 704 0675
CARBONDALE FIRE PROTECTION – Ron Leach – 963 2491
SNOWMASS WILDCAT FIRE PROTECTION – Steven Sowles – 923 2212

ASPEN VILLAGE METRO – Michael Kiernan – 925 3475
BUTTERMILK METRO WATER – Gary Beach – 925 3475
CROWN MT PARK – Sharon Rather – 963 6030
EAST ASPEN METRO – Bob Oxenberg – 544 5114
FIVE TREES METRO – Gary Beach – 925 3475
GATEWAY METRO – Bob Walker – 927 4262
W/J RANCH – Debbie Braucht – 970 926 6060