PROPERTY TAXES COULD SOON BE RISING IN BERNALILLO COUNTY. THE COUNTY COMMISSION LAST WEEK BARELY APPROVED ASKING VOTERS TO DECIDE IF THE TAX SHOULD BE RAISED TO MAINTAIN OPEN SPACE LANDS. COMMISSIONER WAYNE JOHNSON VOTED AGAINST IT. BUT HE THINKS IT'S POSSIBLE VOTERS WILL APPROVE THE INCREASE. BUT HE SAYS IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, HOME VALUES HAVE DROPPED AS TAXES HAVE GONE UP.
JOHNSON SAYS OPEN SPACE MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE PAID FOR WITH THE GENERAL FUND. COMMISSIONER ART DE LA CRUZ THINKS IT'S THE WRONG USE OF THAT REVENUE.
IF VOTERS APPROVE THE INCREASE IN NOVEMBER, AN EXTRA 13 DOLLARS WOULD BE ADDED TO THE ANNUAL TAX ON A 200 THOUSAND DOLLAR HOME.
