Myth #1: “My property value went up, so the County must be rolling in money.”

​

Fact: Rising property values do not mean more revenue for La Plata County.

​

• It’s a common misconception that rising property values result in the county increasing revenues. 

• The state has reduced residential assessment rates -  this limits the amount the county receives in property tax revenue. (i.e., the county does not realize more money because your residential property taxes have gone up).

• Want to know what you pay and where it goes? Try the county property tax calculator

  • https://forms.lpcgov.org/Forms/property_taxes_lookup

• Other special districts and some school districts have recently raised taxes but the County Government is operating services off of 1980s and 1990s revenue streams.

 

Bottom line: La Plata County is not seeing a windfall. Property tax revenue has remained flat in the midst of rising real estate prices.

​

​​

Myth #2: “The County just needs to cut spending and balance the budget.”

​

Fact: La Plata County is legally required to balance its budget—and has done so.

​

• The County is still working with funding streams set in the 1980s and 1990s.

• We’ve already trimmed and stretched every dollar.

• Without new revenue, the only remaining option is to cut core services, like Sheriff patrols, road and building repairs, and human services programs.  

​

​

Myth #3: “A 1% sales tax sounds like a lot.” 

​

Fact: The average household would pay about $23 a month— this is a tank of gas or a breakfast.  

​

• This modest amount helps maintain roads, emergency services, and public safety.

• Every dollar stays local.

​

​

Myth #4: “Only residents will pay this new tax.”

​

Fact: Visitors and tourists contribute approximately 33% of La Plata County’s total sales tax revenue.

​

• That means out-of-town visitors will help fund local services that everyone needs and relies on. 

​

​

 

Myth #5: “This is just another government money grab.”

​

Fact: This is a community investment—and it’s fully transparent.

​

• The funds will support essential services: roads, Sheriff response, infrastructure, and fire mitigation, snow removal, emergency response to fire, winter storms, and more!

• The County is committed to clear reporting and accountability. All funds spent are audited. 

 

 

 

Myth #6: “You ran the oil and gas industry out of the county so that is why you’re in a revenue pinch.” 

​

Fact: For years, it was predicted that the Fruitland formation  gas field would eventually decline.  In fact, production is on the decline in San Juan County, New Mexico too. 

​

• The Commissioners passed updated oil and gas regulations in 2023.  These regulations balanced production and property rights with public health and safety, and environmental protections.   

• The County has benefitted from oil and gas production taxes but starting in the early 2000s, it was always predicted that this revenue would decline, which it now has. 

• The County is committed to protection of people and the environment but also fully recognizes the role the oil and gas sector plays in the county. 

• The County budget can no longer primarily rely on the oil and gas sector to provide public service and pay the bulk of County Government costs. 

​

 

✅ The Truth:  

We can’t maintain roads, staff deputies, or prepare for

wildfires using 1980s funding.  

 

For about $23 a month, we can

Protect Today – Invest in Tomorrow!