Senior citizen center improvements on the ballot

Approximately $220,000 would benefit sites in Amalia, Questa, Chamisal and Taos

The vote for senior living center improvements is on the ballot this year. As part of the 2020 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act, Bond Question A involves a decision whether or not to allocate nearly $33.3 million dollars to aid senior living centers.

Bond Question A: What is it?

Bond Question A asks if voters approve of putting $33.3 million in state funds into the improvement of senior living care facilities in counties throughout the state.

What does it do?

Bond Question A would benefit approximately 70 different senior living and retirement facilities across the state, providing various improvements in living conditions, including general repairs and maintenance and allocating funds for the purchase of necessary equipment.

How does it benefit Taos?

Taos would benefit directly if the bill is passed. The Taos County Senior Centers would get approximately $220,000 if Bond Question A is passed.

Taos County plans to use the funds “to purchase hopefully three hot meal delivery trucks and one 4x4 SUV for our Questa site,” said Michael Trujillo, executive director of the Taos County Senior Program. Trujillo explained that the funds will benefit four senior sites throughout the county – in Amalia, Questa, Chamisal and Taos.

How does it affect property taxes?

Taxes remain unchanged related to the bond. They will not increase or decrease whether or not the bond passes, according to the state.

Do I vote yes or no?

If you support the increase in funding for senior facilities across the state, vote “yes.”

If you oppose the ongoing support of senior facilities by the state, vote “no.”

How does it work?

If passed, Bond Measure A would help issue “capital expenditures for certain senior citizen facility improvement, construction and equipment acquisition projects,” as well as “provide for a general property tax imposition and levy deconstruction, repairs and upgrades to senior living centers around the state,” according to New Mexico State Senate Bill 207.

As for how the complete 2020 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act would affect the taxes of Taoseños, Trujillo said that any tax increase would be minuscule. Referencing the measure that was initially passed in 2017, Trujillo noted that the bond measure only increased taxes by about $0.77 cents per year for residents of Taos County.

Henry Valdez, public information officer at the Department of Finance and Administration, also said that New Mexicans would not see a property tax increase due to the passing of this bond. “Taxes will not decrease or increase due to a bond passing or not,” said Valdez. “This only changes with adjustments to the mill levy rate,” he added.