Eagle Vail Opponents of 5A Have A Hidden Adjenda

 

Two vocal opponents of Eagle Vail’s upcoming 5A vote have been sending misleading information in an attempt to try and lower the tax rate which benefits them and 66 other homeowners.  

The problem for these 68 homeowners is that they pay taxes to Eagle Vail and the Town of Avon (long story).  However, these opponents knew they were paying more in taxes than the rest of Eagle Vail when they bought their properties. 

 

At the time they bought their properties the values were significantly less than today.  With increased values, comes an increase in the amount of tax dollars you pay.  The good news for these opponents is their values have increased significantly. Unfortunately the opponents can’t have it both ways; increased values with the same taxes as when the bought their property.

 

Eagle Vail has no sales tax revenues, no way to pay for the operation and maintenance of its amenities. 

 

For the past 30 years Eagle Vail used water tap fees to pay for the operation and maintenance of its amenities.  Now that Eagle Vail is built out, tap fees no longer pay the bills.

 

In order for Eagle Vail to stay healthy, vibrant and solvent, it needs a new source of income.  That source can come from the continuation of 9.4 mils currently paying off long term debt.  In 2009 when the long term debt is paid off the 9.4 mils expires. 

 

Eagle Vail residents are being asked to continue paying 9.4 mils only instead of being used for long term debt, the 9.4 mils will be used to pay bills, pay for deferred maintenance, upcoming maintenance and pay for new facilities.

 

Opponents claim the continued mil levy does not have a sunset (ending date).  True, the ongoing bills, deferred maintenance, upcoming maintenance and needs for new facilities does not sunset either.  Right now and going forward 20 years there is some $20 million (today’s dollars) in deferred maintenance, future maintenance and new facility needs to be taken care of.  

 

The opponents say passing 5A will make it so homeowners will never again determine how the tax dollars are spent.  This statement from two Avon Town Council Members is irresponsible and simply not true.  The Eagle Vail Metro Board budget process, just like any other governing body, holds open budget sessions to the public before approving a budget.  The Metro Board, just like any other governing body, is elected by the residents.  If you don’t like what the Board is doing, vote them out.

 

These same opponents say 5A is really a tax increase.  No, the tax rate will stay the same.  A tax increase happens when the tax rate changes.  The amount of dollars a property owner pays is determined by the valuation placed on a property by Eagle County.  As property values go up, tax dollars paid on that property will increase but the increase is not a tax rate increase.  Achieving higher property values is good for the homeowner, good for the neighborhood because the increase in revenues will help keep pace with inflation.  When revenues keep pace with inflation, the bills get paid without having to come back to the community for more money (tax rate increase) every few years.   

 

The opponents failed to mention that property values went down in 2004 and 2005 by some 8%.  Ten years ago the mil levy for Eagle Vail was 19.8 mils.  Today it is 14.835.

 

Frankly, the opponents would be better served if they channeled all their negative energy into solving their perceived problem.  One fact is for certain; if Eagle Vail can’t reinvest in itself, property values will surely decline. That will make 1400+ homeowners very upset.

Contributed by John Nichols jnichols@gatewayland.com Office: 970.926.6777 | Cell: 970.331.6611 | Fax: 970.926.2698 http://www.johnnicholsrealtor.com

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