Today is the mill levy and board election for the Dolores Fire Protection District.
Ballots were mailed out to residents within the district, and must be dropped off by 7 p.m., May 5, to the designated election official, Keenen D. Lovett, 22 E. Main St., Cortez, CO. 81321. Telephone contact is (970) 565-7209. Do not drop off ballots at the Dolores fire station or Town Hall.
The Dolores Fire Protection District is asking voters for a mill levy increase from 6 mills to 10 mills to help replace worn-out equipment. The 4 mill increase would generate $225,000 to $250,000 per year.
The additional revenue would be used to: finance replacement of worn out equipment, including a 46-year-old tanker truck, a 38-year-old equipment truck, a 46-year-old brush truck and a 32-year-old fire engine. Total estimated costs for replacement is $930,000 to $1.4 million. It would also provide for up-to-date firefighter safety equipment, training programs for volunteers and wildfire mitigation projects.
For a $100,000 home, the added mills would increase property taxes by $28.60 per year, or $2.38 per month, according to the Montezuma County Assessors Office.
Three board seats are up for election, and the candidates are uncontested. The candidates are Shawna Valdez, Hubert DeWayne Findley and Kirk Swope.
