IT'LL BE UP TO VOTERS TO DECIDE IF AN OPEN SPACE PROPERTY TAX HIKE WILL FLY IN BERNALILLO COUNTY. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TUESDAY NIGHT NARROWLY APPROVED PUTTING THE ISSUE ON THE BALLOT. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE COMMISSION HAS VOTED ON THE MATTER. THE PROPOSED TAX HIKE WAS REJECTED IN 2006 AND 2012.
THE TAX PROPOSAL WILL BE ON THE BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER 4TH. IF VOTERS APPROVE THE HIGHER TAX, IT WOULD RAISE NEARLY 3 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO MAINTAIN THE COUNTY'S OPEN SPACE LANDS.
IT MEANS AN EXTRA 13 DOLLARS WOULD BE ADDED ON TO THE ANNUAL PROPERTY TAX ON A 200-THOUSAND DOLLAR HOME. OWNERS OF HOMES VALUED AT 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS WOULD PAY AN EXTRA 6-DOLLAR-70 CENTS. THE TAX WOULD BE IN EFFECT FOR 15 YEARS.
