A PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX HIKE TO MAINTAIN BERNALILLO COUNTY OPEN SPACE LANDS FINALLY WINS APPROVAL FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSION. NOW IT'LL GO TO VOTERS IN NOVEMBER. COMMISSIONER ART DE LA CRUZ PROPOSED THE MEASURE AND SAYS IT'LL ALLOW OPEN SPACE TO BE MAINTAINED WITHOUT USING GENERAL FUND MONEY. COMMISSIONER WAYNE JOHNSON VOTED AGAINST IT. HE TELLS US USING THE GENERAL FUND IS THE WAY TO GO.
IF VOTERS APPROVE THE TAX HIKE THIS FALL, IT'LL ADD 13 DOLLARS A YEAR TO THE PROPERTY TAX ON A 200 THOUSAND DOLLAR HOME. THE TAX WOULD RAISE NEARLY 3 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR AND BE IN EFFECT FOR 15 YEARS.
