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Then there is the Ranch that Santa Fe County is buying. Another 7 or 8 million -- enough to meet the Fire Deparment's needs for the next five years. And -- once the county buys it -- that property comes off the tax rolls. How many fire trucks could you have bought with the lost tax dollars? Where is the money coming from? The County doesn't say. What are we going to do with that property? Santa Fe County doesn't say. Santa Fe County doesn't worry about money -- they got a bunch of suckers who will always vote them more.

What is happening with the Film Studio anyway? Can Santa Fe County spend millions and not account for it? Am I the only one who has noticed that the Hools have not made a movie since 2004? That "The Cup" which was supposed to be filmed in 2008 is still in pre-production in late 2009? That is supposed to be filmed in Australia and Ireland? We don't have horses in New Mexico? If the County has not blown the millions on the studio deal, then why isn't the money available for the Fire Department?

An interesting question is how expensive are the things the Fire Department needs and are they so expensive that they couldn't easily be funded from Santa Fe County's existing budget. A Fire Truck is clearly one of the most expensive items. However, they last for a number of years and the expense can be spread out over those years. "The Fire Finance Guy" provides answers. "Let's say you buy a $350,000 truck and pay $35,000 per year for 15 years as a payment. The total of the payments is $525,000." (http://www.firefinanceguy.com/2009/07/fire-truck-financing-cost-per-call.html) ***** So, 35 thousand per year for one truck and thus we could buy 10 new trucks for $350,000. Since the county will be shrinking in size, I suspect that 10 is way more than we need.****** Now the county's current budget is approximately 215,000,000. Since it increases about 20% per year, next year we should anticipate at least 250,000,000 and at least 300,000,000 for the following year. Yes, it is a very big number. **** We could buy 10 fire trucks for about 1/10 of 1% of the County's existing revenue. ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT. Why do they need more money? Why yet another tax increase this year?

Is the studio deal going through? Santa Fe County pledged 9.5 Million for that. But we were told that it was all contingent upon the Hools getting another 10 million from the legislature. *"'This doesn't set up the loan agreement today,/ Stefanics said. /La Luz really has to go to work on the Legislature to keep the $10 million. Our piece is really not the major piece of this project./ Once the larger chunk of funding is secured, Stefanics said, the county will compose a more detailed loan agreement designed to guard the public's financial interest in the project."* http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Commissioners-OK-studio-deal With all the state cuts, are the Hools still getting that 10 million from the legislature? If not, 9.5 million is freed up -- which is enough to fund the Fire Department's Five Year Strategic -- enough to do everything that the Fire Department said it needed -- enough to eliminate any possible need for this tax. So what has happened? And why was the County so irresponsible as to fund the studio deal if it didn't have the money for the Fire Department????

Santa Fe County today emailed its periodic message telling us all the ways they have figured to spend more money on buying ranches and fixing the big hole that is supposed to be a judicial complex. And all the various ways they are going to increase taxes and fees. ************************** And we get this little bombshell: "Fire Chief Stan Holden spoke in favor of the upcoming ballot measure on the Fire Excise Tax. Approval will yield $1.7 to $2 million yearly, collected, and expended in the County to pay for needed equipment and facilities." So Santa Fe County blew an additional $115 Million Dollars this year on film studios, and ranches, and the big hole in the ground -- BUT DID NOT GET "NEEDED FIRE EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES." How do we impeach these people??

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.

***"I just don't think a lot of people know this is going on because it's a special election," said county Elections Bureau Director Denise Lamb, who reported only 30 people had cast early ballots as of Friday.*** Of course, people don't know. That is the way the Commissioners planned it. A stealth vote.

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

Take a look at the Santa Fe County annual report. The County is swimming in money -- our money -- and asking for a tax increase on top of increased assessment and increased property tax rate -- all this at time when unemployment and bankruptcies are up. ****** We make do with less -- and the County takes more. Again look at their annual report. They have plenty of money to support the Fire Department. The County has plenty of money to support the Fire Department.

At a time when hardworking citizens are facing the toughest economic times in decades we are asked for a tax increase. The County has the funds and funding mechanisms to find this money for our Santa Fe County Fire Department without raising taxes. The County Commission needs to prioritize its spending and make tough choices. Fire and emergency services are priority services. The County Commission, rather than finding these funds for our fire department in the existing budget and revenue streams, is passing the buck to the people and businesses of Santa Fe County, at a time when they can afford it least. I will vote NO on this tax increase, sending a message to our County Commission to get these needed funds for our fire department from their existing, already bloated, fund usage. Let's see, fire department or a new film studio???

Are you kidding me? No notice and a single issue - the voting itself is going to cost at least $15,000. Why the hell didn't the fire department put this on the prior or next more general vote? Indepent of the merits of the actual question, this is such a poorly thought out and possibly school board like scammy election, I would vote "NO" just on princple - and make the fire department state a real, public basis for this tax. This is just not how participatory democracy should be run, especially in a time of declining tax revenue.

This is one good tax for the community because what you pay in this tax actually will be brought back to the community in firefighting equipment. This is a win-win for both, fire departments and citizens. Pete Duran Retired Deputy State Fire Marshal

Note two things about this tax vote: 1. Deliberately held at a time when few people will vote. No accident. Deliberately undermining democracy. 2. No expiration date on the tax. In the past, we have had expiration dates. But our current commissioners want more and more taxes forever. Three increases this year -- property tax rate, property tax assessments, and now the gross receipts tax. It is our money and they want to spend as much as possible. Remember these commissioners -- and vote against then whatever office they run for. And vote against their handpicked successors.

We passed a gigantic tax increase for this and the county is spending it on other things. The county is rolling in money -- spending has doubled in four years. The property tax rate has been increased. Property tax assessments have been increased and now the county is holding a sneak election to put across another tax increase. **** Don't be fooled. The county has plenty of money for firefighting. They just want to spend it on their pet projects. VOTE NO.

this is the same for glorieta. ummmm.. excuse me, but glorieta has been there for like 500 YEARS. why do i, on the northwest side of santa fe county have to BAIL OUT GLORIETA??? why don't the moron land use employees of santa fe county land use go after the residents of GLORIETA????? friggin chrissakes.. is this new mexican government DAFFY??????

didn't rancho viejo in their original proposal ADDRESS these issues? and if so.... why is the entire non incorporated city of santa fe county BAILING them out?

i hadn't heard ANYTHING about this tax proposal until now. can someone PLEASE explain this, "Holden said the tax is needed now in the unincorporated areas because more of the other tax revenue is being spent on a regional emergency dispatch center than he originally budgeted." if nobody can, they i will NOT vote for this. it seems like i am paying ENOUGH of my taxes for emergency services. this is a pretty STEEP TAX. comments anyone?