Douglas holds truth-in-taxation hearing; proposes holding 2026-27 property tax rate steady

City Treasurer Alejandro Martinez presented the truth-in-taxation findings during a public hearing at the City of Douglas special meeting on April 22, saying the city’s 2026 net assessed primary valuation is $69,631,679, including $1,121,004 in new construction. Martinez said staff recommends keeping the property tax rate at 1.0783 per $100 of assessed value, unchanged from the prior year.

Because the unchanged rate applied to a larger valuation produces a higher total levy — $750,838 compared with $724,941 last year — state law required a truth-in-taxation public hearing. Martinez said the portion of the increase attributable solely to growth in existing values is roughly $14,000 when isolating the effect of new construction. He told the council that the ordinance’s first reading will occur at the June regular meeting and a second reading is scheduled for a special meeting in July; no final action was taken at the April 22 session.

Mayor Jose Grijalva asked staff to emphasize in future presentations, both at the opening and closing of the hearing, that the city is not proposing an increase in the tax rate. Resident Diana LaMar used the public-comment period earlier in the meeting to urge awareness and support for survivors of sexual violence; the mayor acknowledged her remarks and said he regretted that recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month had not been included on the published agenda.

The council took no vote on the levy at the April 22 meeting; next steps are the June first reading and a July second reading when the council may act on the levy ordinance.