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Eight million dollars to buy a bunch of undeveloped acres and take them off the tax rolls for a continuing loss of tens of thousands dollars every year. Ten million dollars for a movie studio headed by two guys who haven't made a movie in the last five years. Both of these in the midst of a recession when taxpayers are suffering. Increased property tax rate, increased waste fees, increased property tax assessments and now a stealth vote on an excise tax increase -- all in this recessionary year. Say "NO!"

As a factual matter, Mr. Stokes statement (below) is correct. The recession began in December 2007 in plenty of time for county analysts to consider its impact on the 2009 spending as printed in the annual report. And as Mr. Stokes points out, County spending increased markedly for 2008 although that entire year was recessionary. In fact, looking at the four year period ending in 2008, we also see a doubling of spending. These are data for completed years: they should be correct. And there is no doubt of another staggering increase this year. Santa Fe County is very good at increasing taxes and fees and seems blissfully unaware that the rest of us are struggling. Yes, each increase is small. But add them all up and it is an INCREASE of more than ONE HUNDRED MILLION IN FOUR YEARS. They had an extra one hundred million this year -- they should be able to buy some fire equipment. They chose to fund a film studio. It is time to say - NO MORE!!

The county's annual report was published in the midst of the recession. The estimates reflect recessionary times. In fact, the economy is better now than it was when the report was adopted. If the county's figures are in error, then they correct them and they have not. The fact remains that county expenditures have increased by fantastic mind-boggling rates even if we look at the data for completed years -- eg 2008. Yes, we are all -- except for the county -- spending less. Of course, their budget is balanced -- they have scandalous amounts of money. And the increases for next year: 1. Higher waste fees 2. Higher property tax rate 3. Higher property tax assessments 4. The excise tax increase on the ballot Three of these already put in place. It is time to turn one down. Talk about public education is relevant. But these hundreds of millions spent by the county are not for public education. Of course it is a stealth election. Any vote of this nature scheduled all by itself will only draw a few voters. Is there anyone who doubts this simple truth?

By all means, let’s all go look at financial reports based on what was happening in the County before the bottom dropped out of the economy; or budget requests and approvals based on what revenues may be anticipated for the current year. Let’s face it: we are all spending less, travelling less and holding our breath until the economy stabilizes and starts moving upward again. But reduced travel and spending serve to directly reduce government revenues that depend on gross receipts and lodger’s taxes. We should appreciate the fact that the County has been budgeting properly and did not fall into a deficit situation as many other governmental agencies have in recent months. We all expect a variety of services provided by the County and can get quite irate of we feel they are not living up to our expectations. We want our roads maintained, plowed and upgraded; we want water systems, senior citizen services and a host of other services that are provided by the County and funded by property taxes, special revenues and bonds; we depend on the public education system to be in place in our communities and transportation for our children between home and the classroom; we expect that criminals will be apprehended, tried, convicted and incarcerated in a secure facility; and we demand that, when we dial 911, someone answers and dispatches the appropriate law enforcement and emergency services. Some simple facts that seem to be missing from the other comments on the tax issue: •This tax was allowed to sunset because it might not look good on someone’s political resume, not because it was no longer needed or had been replaced by other funds. •The proceeds from the proposed Fire Excise Tax will be used solely for the purposes of financing the operational expenses, ambulance service or capital outlay costs of independent fire districts or ambulance services provided by the County. •This is not a sneak election. The State of New Mexico has strict requirements for adopting and imposing this tax. There is a timeline that must be followed exactly, as well as a defined process of public hearings and published notices. The process started with a public hearing July 28, 2009 where the Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution 2009-133 proposing adoption of an ordinance to impose the tax. Then, on September 8, 2009, another public hearing was held by the BCC, and Ordinance 2009-8 approved adoption of the tax, and then Resolution 2009-161 was adopted calling for the special election to be held November 17th. The tax issue could not be placed on any other election ballot because the timeline imposed by the State could not be met. •The Fire Department does not receive any funding from the County General Fund or Property taxes. Property taxes pay for other important items, such as public education. •Funding sources for the Fire Department are subject to strict regulations imposed by the State of New Mexico. They can only be used for the purposes specified in the State regulations or adopting ordinance and cannot be intermixed or reallocated to cover shortfalls in other funds. •The Countywide Emergency Communications and Emergency Medical Services tax was designed and adopted to support the Regional Emergency Communications Center, Hospital emergency services, and EMS Emergency services. This is not a “Gigantic Tax”. The impact on your budget is 25 cents for every 100 dollars spent within Santa Fe County, exclusive of food and prescription drugs. When this tax was adopted in 2006, the RECC was a joint City/County service and jointly funded. In 2007, joint operations and funding ceased and the new tax revenues became the sole funding source for RECC operations. •The effect of this tax on your budget is an extra 25 cents for every 100 dollars you spend at businesses in the unincorporated areas of the County except for foods and prescription drugs, which are exempt from the Gross Receipts Tax. •As for budget transparency: The Fire Department prepares a 5 Year Plan detailing all proposed expenditures, capital improvements, station and personnel expansions, and goals. This plan is reviewed by the BCC and approved at a public hearing. This is as transparent as a budget plan can possibly get.

Now that the city is annexing a good part of what the county had to protect before, do they still need as large a budget? Why is that not considered, like the police dept.

OH wow! Leave it to some uninformed know nothing at alls to pipe in and disagree about paying 25 cents for every $100 dollars spent. Listen just sacrifice the gourmet coffee or an extra trip to the mall in your SUV and you will have enough to pay the extra tax on your fur coat or flat screen tv. I am a rebublican, a true conservative. Which means fiscal, enviromental, cultural... Do any of you know about the extra 37 regional full time staff that have been put out into the field to provide protection and serve the citizens for pennies in the last 2 1/2 years and the more to come? Or the aging fleet of vehicles that are dated and worn down. The stations that are pieced together with modular buildings that are not equipped to handle the personel or call volume that each region has. Make your decision based on facts and common sense not the TEA party mentality. Somethings we do need! If any of you need these fine men and women I hope there equipment doesnt fail on you when YOU need it the most.

A stealth vote -- that is what we should call it. The Commissioners should hang their heads in shame.

Add this increased gross receipts tax to the already increased property tax rate and the increase property assessments with four new and additional assessors. And last night they may have voted to increase waste fees? Has anyone heard? Also note a special election timed to spend more more to create a low turnout and a tax increase that unlike earlier versions will never expire. I am a life-long Democrat, but County government is out-of-control. Vote against these commissioners whenever they run for office and send a message to the Democratic party.

Dang it. I meant to add that I, too, and a Democrat, and a liberal one at that.

"No surprise to see the Republikan Party against spending money on fire control." Shame on you, Ed, for distorting the truth about the intent of these campaigns. What they are against is raising taxes yet again in a county that seems to have lost control of its priorities and spending habits.

Anyone now realizes we are headed, or in a vertically integrated Command and control economy. Why not continuing spending money, and party like rock stars. The whole economic house of cards is coming down, sooner or later that`s your destiny. I know the Obamabots can`t get their "one size fits all brains" around this,,,But you will. In good time you will. I hope you don`t have a heart attack. Buckle up, and get ready for an extremely rough ride. The middle class is dieing.

The counry budget has increased in size by 150% and they STILL don't have enough money for a BASIC such as the fire department??#@!!? How much WOULD it take? Would a 200% increase work for our county leaders? 500% would be much better! I'm sure that if my income had increased by 150% I wouldn't need more money for basic expenses. It takes gall to ask taxpayers for more during these bleak economic times. My abuelito would describe our county leaders with one word--desgraciados!

I'm sorry but I totally agree with Mr. Bohlander and I'm a democrat!! The whole reason the county allowed this tax to expire was because they got voter approval on a county wide tax for fire and emergency services that they began to receive in July of 2007. They anticipated and therefore budgeted $7 million dollars but did you know that they actually collected $8.6 million in the first year! So now in the second year of the "new quarter cent tax" they are budgeting $8.1 million but are on pace to collect more than $8.5 million. Now you tell me that this fire dept can't afford to operate on this much revenue.....NONSENSE!! And don't tell me that Stan Holden didn't anticipate having to cover the regional dispatch center expenses because that was one of his major argumnets when they went out to get the county wide fire and EMS tax. The revenue generated currently for the County Fire Dept is much more than they have brought it in the past and is more than enough to cover Fire and the dispatch center! But don't take my word for it; research it yourself under the freedom of information act and you'll see it for yourself.

Yes, Ed, everyone in Santa Fe must march lockstep with the liberal agenda. No deviation of thought or opinion. Tax tax tax ... that's the way to utopia. Have you noticed that there is a recession going on? Or are you one of Santa Fe's trust fund babies that feels guilty about being given wealth?

No surprise to see the Republikan Party against spending money on fire control. They're already against spending money on birth control, education and health care. They only support thought control. As you can see from the sycophant who showed up to play echo to their dirge.

"We support our Fire Department, and the critical services they provide, but the county has ... an adequate stream of revenue from many sources to fund these fire department needs — If only they would prioritize their spending." ------------------- well, santa fe county HAS set their priorities. they have invested in a MOVIE STUDIO that the banks wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole. is that what you mean? ROFLMAO! you know.. if the santa fe county commissioners had brains, they would be dangerous! but then, there is no danger of finding any brain material in any of their heads... same with the santa fe county land use department. just a bunch of BOZO's hiring by their BRO's.