This information concerns the forthcoming special bond election on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 (which is separate from the March 4 Roswell municipal election) in which Eastern New Mexico University Roswell (ENMUR) is asking the voters in Chaves County to approve through a general obligation bond issue for an increase to the mill levy on property taxes in Chaves County from 1 mill to 3 mills; an increase of 200%, for which, according to two ENMUR publications, the money will be used to sustain numerous programs, maintain campus buildings, and lessen the impact of decreased state funding on the university. It has been calculated that if passed, this one bond issue alone would increase a property tax bill from $33.33 to $99.99 for every $100,000 worth of assessed property you own. This increase would be in addition to any per-cent tax rate increase that the Chaves County Assessor would add for a separate annual increase for appreciation in value to your property, and would stay on your property tax bill for the life of the bond. ENMUR has sought to gain an advantage in this election as follows: 1.) There are only two electronic voting machines in the entire county on which one can vote early or absentee; one machine is in the Chaves County Clerks Office at 1 St. Marys Place in Roswell, and the only other one is on the ENMUR campus; which is quite convenient for their students, faculty, and staff who can walk across campus to vote, but the voters in Lake Arthur, Dexter, and Hagerman have to drive 20-40 miles to do so; but, then again, this election is being paid for with ENMUR funds. 2.) ENMUR has been re-registering students to vote in this election who attend school here, but do not live in Chaves County when not attending ENMUR. 3.) Instructors have used class time to promote voting for the bond issue to students in their class. General obligation bonds should be used for necessary capital expenditures (real estate related acquisitions or improvements); however, this bond issue has money earmarked for ongoing operational expenses and chattel equipment such as; computers, laboratory equipment, college programs, training, and maintenance; and in addition, to burden the property owners taxpayers in Chaves County to make up the difference of funds it would have received (but did not) from the state legislature...this is wrong! What ENMUR is not disclosing is that the New Mexico Legislature is considering a record increase to the education budget in this current session. The current and future financial situation in our state and country is uncertain. Health insurance premiums, electrical and natural gas rates, Roswell water and sewer rates, home and automobile insurance, livestock feed, and groceries have all increased, and will continue to increase; plus 55 Federal income tax deductions have expired at the end of 2013. There are many people who own modest homes and live in Chaves County who live on Social Security and maybe a small pension who cannot afford all of these cost of living increases plus a 200% increase for this mill levy. The recent drought experienced by farmers, ranchers, and dairymen in Chaves County has impacted their financial operations over the last several years to the extent that many were forced into further debt just to maintain their operations, and the impact of an increase from $33.33 to $99.99 for every $100,000 of assessed value of their property would greatly hurt them. There are alternatives to asking for tax increases. Roswell Independent School District (RISD) which is a mandatory educational service experienced funding cuts several years ago, and employed smart management techniques to balance their budget without asking for a tax increase to make up the difference. While ENMUR does provide a non-mandatory educational service to this region, it is an elective educational service for which people pay very low tuition and fees to attend. The funds for this bond issue are not critical to ENMUR’s existence, nor should bond funds be used for the purposes noted above. The university would continue to operate should this bond issue not be approved. ENMUR is hoping for a very low turnout for this election. For all qualified Chaves County voters I would urge you to make a concerted effort and vote NO on this bond issue on Tuesday, February 4, 2014. This is one of the few instances where you can stop a large cost increase, and if you wish to keep your property taxes down please vote NO and tell your friends go out and vote against this bond issue. The first day of absentee voting is Friday, January 10, 2014, and the first day of early voting is Wednesday, January 15, 2014; both absentee and early voting ends on January 31, 2014 at 5PM. The only two electronic voting machines are at the Chaves County Clerks Office, and ENMUR Campus Union Building which are available from 8AM to 5PM during the above dates. Also, you may obtain an application for Absentee Ballots for this election by requesting one from the Chaves County Clerk’s Office (575-624-6614), but they must be sent back to and received by the County Clerk before 6PM on January 30, 2014. If you choose not to vote absentee or early you may vote on February 4, 2014 at ANY of the following locations in Chaves County from 7AM to 7PM.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 17:12:58 +0000
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