Area ballots for November election include tax questions

Early voting continues through Nov. 4 across the region for multiple school district and municipal board seats.

Election Day is Nov. 7.

Local ballots also include three tax questions, for voters in school districts in Dora, Portales and Texico. All are continuation of taxes voters have previously approved, superintendents said.

In Portales, the tax levy – if approved -- will continue to be used to “purchase new computers, chrome books, smart projectors, cameras, IT infrastructure, infrastructure for WiFi, network infrastructure, and software license needs for the district,” said Superintendent Johnnie Cain.

Cain said the tax voters will be asked to approve allows school districts to use the funds for building construction, remodeling, maintenance, and purchase. It also allows districts to lease buildings and other real property, along with the ability to purchase activity vehicles for transporting students to and from extracurricular events.    

However, Cain said Portales has chosen to use these funds only for the purpose of technology and software licenses in the schools and district.  

Cost to the owner of a $100,000 house will be about $42 annually, Cain said, the same as what homeowners pay now.

If voters don’t approve, the district probably would not be able to keep up some of the current computer and equipment rotations, Cain said.   

In Texico, voters are asked to continue a $2 million levy on property values. The money is used to maintain and improve buildings and purchase equipment, said Superintendent Robert Brown.

If approved, Brown said the tax will continue to cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $200 annually in taxes.

“If the $2 mill levy does not pass, then over time our facilities would begin to deteriorate, and the school district would have a very difficult time maintaining facilities as the Public Education Department does not provide the necessary means to maintain facilities,” Brown said.

Some projects targeted include heating/air conditioning equipment, remodeling of restrooms and locker rooms. There would also be an opportunity to add technology in classrooms to “enhance the instructional process and outcomes,” Brown said.

In Dora, voters will be asked to approve a $2.3 million general obligation bond. The bond will be used to provide funds for large-scale repairs and improvements to existing facilities within Dora schools, said Superintendent Brandon Hays.

An owner of a $100,000 home currently pays $181 annually for the school district general obligation bond, Hays said. He said the bond will not result in a tax increase for residents.

Hays said some of the school projects planned are new seating for Luscombe Gym, an ADA-compliant lift for Luscombe Gym, a new wood floor for Rogers Gym, air conditioning installed in Rogers Gym, installing a sport surfaced track, repairing the main building hallway floors and bathrooms, and LED lighting upgrades.