ISSUE #249: Ant Alert - A New Property Tax? (5/30/23)

"The avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit that carries any reward."

-- John Maynard Keynes

HEADS UP: A POLL ON A NEW TAX FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT

Yes, you read that right. Beginning today, May 30, Pitkin County will be polling residents on their appetites for a county-wide subsidized housing tax.

In spite of the efforts by BOCC member Greg Poschman, the commissioners will not even get to review the questions. Look for leading questions and ones that do not to even mention a tax but instead ask something like "Does Pitkin County need more housing?"

The goal is to get enough "support" for "more housing" and perhaps even "more childcare" so that a new sales or property tax measure can be justified for the November ballot.

In an effort to move things quickly (when most people are not in town), commissioner Patti Clapper told her fellow commissioners to "trust the pollster."

This of course comes on the heels of the SUBSTANTIAL property tax valuation increases recently revealed to Pitkin County property owners that foretell ENORMOUS property tax increases this winter.

DO NOT ANSWER THE SURVEY IN ANY WAY THAT INDICATES YOUR SUPPORT FOR MORE HOUSING OR CHILDCARE. It will be counted as your willingness to increase taxes.

Why would we reward APCHA, that broken system, with more public money?

HERE is the news on the upcoming poll that will be conducted by phone and text over the next 10 days. If there is another way to participate, I will let you know.

Remember, the city justified putting its STR tax on the 2022 ballot with just 300 responses in favor of "more housing."

JUST SAY NO.