Talk to 5 friends about the Special Election for Public Health and Safety
Sponsored by Doña Ana County Commissioner Billy Garrett, billyg4dac@gmail.com.
The Issue
Doña Ana County residents will soon have an opportunity to vote on four funding proposals that are largely focused on aspects of public health and safety. The election will take place on July 30th between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm. Early voting and absentee voting will be available. For voting locations and times, visit: http://donaanacounty.org/community.safety.
The election involves three bonds and one increase in the gross receipts tax. Each measure must be voted on separately.
BONDS
If approved, three of the measures would allow the county to issue $7.8 million in general obligation bonds for construction of the following:
- A new Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority (MVRDA) 911-Emergency Call Center ($6 million)
- Improvements to the Southern New Mexico Fairgrounds ($1 million)
- Completion of an Animal Holding Facility to house and care for animals that are
- evidence in pending animal cruelty cases ($8000,000)
GROSS RECEIPTS TAX
The fourth measure would allow the county to collect a gross receipts tax (GRT) of 0.25% (1/4 of 1%) to pay for the operation of the following:
- The new 911-Emergency Call Center (annual estimated cost of $4 million)
- The Crisis Triage Center (annual estimated cost of $2 million)
- Countywide Ambulance Service (annual estimated cost of $1.3 million)
If all three bond measures are approved, the new bonds would replace existing bonds that are due to expire in September. There would be no change in current property tax levels. If the GRT is approved, the retail cost of a $100 item would be increased by 25 cents. Food and medical purchases would be exempted.
Voting is essential to our democracy. Encouraging people you know to vote in the upcoming special election could affect whether or not they vote and therefore affect the future of our county. Every vote matters. Every vote will make a difference.
What we are asking
Urge 5 friends to vote in the Special County Election and to vote for all four measures.
Upon completion of the above action, please email “I did it” to unifiedaction@pva-nm.org
