Dear Editor,

The Commissioners voted last Tuesday (2-1) to draw up ballot language to put another tax on Gilpin County for the community center this Fall. At the same meeting, they voted to spend $1.1 MILLION to build a 2,500 sq. ft. building for a food pantry, tens of thousands of dollars for an afterschool program for teenagers (serving only an average of 22 people in the last count), etc. That plan is to hire another full-time rec center staff person and two part-time people that serve 22 teenagers?!? Are you kidding me?

With the current mill levy, we paid $3,461,121 for the center’s operations and programs, but it didn’t include funding for capital repairs. Why raise more taxes for a Community Center they say is falling apart when those monies cannot be used to make the repairs?

As a Gilpin resident that supported the current mill levy because they threatened the Center may be closed for eight years, I am asking the commissioners to abandon the idea of asking the taxpayers for another tax for the community center. We are already going to be hit with significantly increased property taxes next year. Use the general fund and make repairs.

The casinos are supplying millions of dollars to our community, which kept that rec center running seven days a week. No new taxes.

Here are some charts created by taxpayers from data provided by the County, comparing costs and uses from 2013 to today. We’re paying more, using less, and facing ANOTHER mill levy at 2.57 mills and a proposed 3% annual increase - that never ends!

Commissioners, give us a break! Spend our money wisely - stop asking for more! Can we talk? Taxpayers, let the Commissioners know what you think.

Donna Okray Parman

Gilpin County