Letter: Taxation clarification

Wednesday’s Aspen Times featured a front-page story about a rise in property values for the first time since 2010. Basalt Library was listed among taxation districts that will benefit from increased revenue. However, as president of the Basalt Library board, I am puzzled as to why our library’s revenue was included with the school district’s $42.7 million revenue assessment for 2016. Pitkin County Library District was listed as a separate entity, and is scheduled to receive $3.8 million.

The Basalt Regional Library has its own special district, which includes portions of Pitkin and Eagle counties. Our Certification of Tax Levies shows that Pitkin County taxes will give $898,000 to Basalt Regional Library District in 2016, an increase of 8 percent. (Eagle County tax revenue will add another $1.013 million.) Between 2010 and 2015, Basalt Regional Library District tax revenue dropped 43 percent. While we are grateful for the increased tax revenue, we hope this letter will clarify the true extent of tax benefit Basalt Regional Library District will be receiving.

Carolyn Kane

Basalt