First, Do No Harm (Part Two)
by Chuck Ring (GadAbout-BlogAlot ©2008)
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
This Is Part Two Of A Two Part Article
Click Here For Part One Of This Article
Next to be examined are two big water projects known as the San Juan – Chama Diversion Project and the Buckman Well Field Project. The scope of these two projects alone demonstrates the shear gall of those who have planned these projects with their use of taxes from Edgewood to fund a large portion of the projects. Whether the projects prove to be viable and cost effective at this juncture is speculative, but it can be said that in the eyes of many Southern Santa Fe County and Torrance County citizens, the deal or deals, smell of selfishness and disregard. Memories of the City of Santa Fe’s attempt to import some 7500 acre feet of salty water from mid-Torrance County to Santa Fe still leaves a brackish taste in their mouths. One of our Santa Fe County commissioners seems so enamored of the tax and the straws that could be placed in the rivers and aquifers that he wrote a letter extolling the virtues of the project to the Santa Fe City governing body. Here is an excerpt from the February 6, 2003 letter:
“….Santa Fe County government and the public took a big step toward dealing with the water shortage last year with the approval of a ¼% gross receipts tax increase, 75% of which will be used for water system and supply improvements. Fully one half of the total county tax proceeds will go to projects that are in the City or that serve City residents. City projects are reviewed and recommended for funding by the Regional Planning Authority (RPA). Already the RPA will go to projects that are in the City or that serve City residents. City projects are reviewed and recommended for funding by the Regional Planning Authority (RPA). Already the RPA earmarked $1.25 million, or one half of the total expected gross receipts tax for the current fiscal year for the construction of Buckman wells 10 through 13 to supplement the existing Buckman well field during drought conditions , and to rest existing wells during normal years….”
The entire letter can be accessed here by clicking Santa Fe Twins Water And Other Projects Deal The excerpt above is just a very small sample of the revelations to be found in the letter.Â
If the letter and the ordinance are studied with a clear head and sharp eyes, it can be determined that most of the funds accrued or accruing from the tax will be spent by and for the County and City. Reading the entire letter, the mind of the reader can be transported to the Los Angeles of the Owens Valley era and its erstwhile superintendent of the Los Angeles Water and Power Department, William Mulholland. Visions of the movie, Chinatown, which is loosely based on Los Angeles’ rape of Owens Valley and Los Angeles’ hand in the final demise of the water once to be found there, Maps,Photos And General Information About Owens Valley also rise to the mind’s surface. But, a read of he book or a look at the PBS series of the same name, The Cadillac Desert, The American West And Its Disappearing Water, will perhaps meld the Santa Fe events with those revealed in the book and tell a much broader story of how big money and bad politics often destroy those with whom they play fast and loose. A Google © search can provide links to suppliers of the book and video.
Has anyone in the Edgewood area heard of the Top Of The World Farms (TOW). If not, be assured that folks in Taos County have heard about Santa Fe County and their purchase of at least 588 acre feet per year (afy) of water rights from TOW. I say at least, because it is not clear when and exactly how much water was actually purchased by Santa Fe County. An article from the La Jicarita Times of Northern New Mexico has indicated the transfer, if approved, will be for a minimum of 588 afy
The entity created by Santa Fe City and County that handles the disbursement of most of the many millions of dollars generated by the tax is known as the Regional Planning Authority (RPA). The RPA has an executive director and five additional staff; though to be fair some staff members serve through their regular employment with the City or County. A board consisting of four county commissioners and four city councilors governs the RPA. Conspicuously and suspiciously, there are no board members from the other taxed entities that contribute to the pie. Other disbursements of money can occur outside the purview of the RPA should individual County commissioners put forth projects for funding. There have been several such projects, but none have been finalized for Edgewood. At one point, over two years ago, there was to have been a $400,000 allotment for Edgewood to assist with the completion of the Edgewood wastewater treatment facility, but the County insisted on an ownership scheme in the facility and no funds were ever forthcoming.
As mentioned previously, there is also a 1/4 of one cent gross receipts tax imposed by a county wide referendum to finance and operate the Regional Emergency Communication Center (RECC). Since the tax passed in 2005 or 2006, the RECC has been governed by a board of directors that consists of the Santa Fe County Manager, Santa Fe City Manager, Santa Fe City Police Chief, Santa Fe County Sheriff, Santa Fe City Fire Chief, Santa Fe County Fire Chief and an at-large civilian. There is no direct representation by anyone from Edgewood town government or staff, although Edgewood has contributed at least $360,000 in taxes to this center and its operation. During fiscal year 2008 Edgewood will likely pay at least another $250,000 to this center and will likely pay as much as $250,000 for fiscal year 2009. Edgewood has been required to pay an additional $70,000 (and possibly up $100,000) since the RECC started dispatching for the Edgewood Police Department around June or July of 2008. Additional information on the RECC can be found here Click Here For RECC Information
We have just seen another county wide gross receipts tax pass in the 1/8 of one cent “transit tax”. This tax will do little to benefit Edgewood and the southern portion of Santa Fe County and was in fact defeated in all of the Edgewood and Stanley precincts. The final tally on the vote was 2883 against and 1578 for. This was a victory for common sense, but because the tax passed overall in Santa Fe County, Edgewood will be sending at least another $125,000 to Santa Fe County and points north. Again, without membership on the governing board. A fair estimate will see at least a million dollars per year taken from Edgewood each year once all of the taxes come into play. This, with little hope that much of it, if any, will return. This amount is not cumulative. The amount will rise to that level and more as Edgewood continues to grow and prosper during the coming years.
As if all of the above is not preposterous enough, recent news reports tell us that Santa Fe is ready to consider the wisdom of sucking or pushing water in the amount of 7000 afy from Ft. Sumner to Santa Fe. Where will the money come from? Don’t bet that part of the money will not come from Edgewood from the tax collected through the previously displayed Santa Fe County Ordinance 2002-5. To read more on this potential folly, click here 36″ Giant Sucking Sound and also follow the link at the bottom of the article.
It is more than plain to see that Edgewood has been dealt a hand through Santa Fe City and County’s deck of cards that cannot continue. Because of the legislation passed by the legislature and the taxing referendums, the City and County of Santa Fe have a royal flush (pun intended) and Edgewood has a pair of deuces, if that. Now the legislature should act to amend the enabling legislation that caused this onerous situation. The amendment should require that taxes generated fom the referendums are fairly apportioned so that all contributing entities receive a fair share of their contributions. Additionally, in the future, legislators should refuse to pass legislation for gross receipts taxes that does not allow for equitable distribution back to all entities taxed under such statutes or ordinances. The two Santa Fes should immediately take steps to see to it that Edgewood gets a proportionate share of all the money accrued from this tax from Edgewood. The governing body of Edgewood should stand ready to litigate for what is rightfully theirs should there be no favorable action through legislation or acquiescence by Santa Fe City and County. It is also time for Councilman Felton to recognize that the City and County will never react favorably unless they are required to do so. After all, it has been nine years since they first had opportunities to do so. Â
Should any Edgewood citizen feel inclined to make your dissatisfaction of these travesties known to your area state legislators, you can find their contact information here Access To Your Legislators’ Contact Info
Quote Freely From the Article — Leave The Pseudonym Alone
This Is The End Of Part Two Of A two Part Article