Is a tax hike needed if South Valley becomes city?

Posted at: 11/13/2009 10:48 PM
By: Kayla Anderson, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

In less than two months, people in the South Valley will vote on whether they want to form a new town.

The county shared new numbers with us Friday, showing it could take a lot more money than originally expected.

The final version of the county's numbers are due out next week.

One county commissioner says services like those provided at the Westside Community Center could be on the chopping block.

Bernalillo County's numbers show the South Valley would start off with a revenue shortfall of nearly $14.5 million.

Bernalillo County Commissioner Art De La Cruz said, "It's abundantly clear that there isn't enough of a tax base here to have a government that would be able to provide the same level of government, that we the South Valley-ans currently enjoy."

De La Cruz says the county spends $30 million for services in the South Valley.

"We spend more than we collect here," De La Cruz said.

He says if the valley splits away, taxes would increase, but the South Valley Incorporation Group is firing back, saying the county's numbers are wrong.

"Bernalillo County does not want the South Valley to become its own city," said Mike Ciesielski with the South Valley Incoropration group said.

The group says Valle de Atrisco can operate on an $18 million budget.

"Because of us being a new town, we would generate franchise fees- from different companies, cable companies, television companies," Rep. Miguel Garcia said.

The new municipality would operate with minimal staffing and a lean budget for police and fire. Things like senior services, community centers— even park maintenance— would all be run by volunteers.

"I've talked to some of the farmers down there that have the tractors that could also provide the park maintenance, and they said they would do it- for a fee of course," Ciesielski said.

The group maintains there would be no gross receipts tax increase for Valle de Atrisco, contrary to what the county says.

Ballots for the new town will be mailed out in December.

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