Park County commissioners approve resolution to place 10-year roads mill levy on ballot

Park County commissioners voted Aug. 9 to approve a resolution submitting a measure to the general election ballot asking county voters to authorize an annual $600,000 funding package for county road materials, with a 10-year sunset.

Staff member Erica explained that the proposal is a "voted dollar effort": the ballot would ask voters to approve the $600,000 figure while the number of mills required to raise that dollar amount would change annually as property values fluctuate. Erica said the value of one mill for county-only levies this year is $67,026 and that dividing $600,000 by that mill value produced the 8.95 mills figure appearing in the resolution documents. Erica also noted the most recent staff estimate for the fiscal year 2025 base levy is 9.78, which she said would raise about $655,516.

Commission discussion touched on flexibility and alternatives. One commissioner said the commission could levy less than the full $600,000 or not levy the amount if another revenue source is found, and the chair said advice from the county attorney indicates the commission could withdraw the measure if a new revenue stream is identified. A motion to approve the resolution to place the mill levy measure on the general election ballot was made, seconded and adopted after verbal ayes; the chair declared the motion passed.

"You don't have to levy the full amount," Erica said in explanation of options available to the commission. Sabina Strauss Gardner, who identified herself during the public-comment portion, asked for clarification of the arithmetic: "Does that so we currently have a mill levy of 9.45. This is an additional 8.95 for a total of 18.4. Am I understanding that correctly?"