The upcoming election could impact property taxes in Aztec, Bloomfield

AZTEC — After a mill levy election failed earlier this year in both Aztec and Bloomfield school districts, the two districts are hoping to get the mills approved during the November election.

The school districts rely on mill funding for school maintenance and technology purchases. Both school districts previously had the mill rate they are now asking voters to approve.

If voters do approve the 1.866 mills in the Aztec Municipal School District and the 2 mills in the Bloomfield School District, property owners in the eastern portion of the county will see increases in property tax.

More:Local school officials say mill funding is crucial to operations

Both school districts say the mill funding is critical for operations.

In February, the Aztec Municipal School District asked voters to approve a 2-mill levy to replace an expiring 1.866-mill levy. The school district is now asking voters to approve the 1.866-mill levy.

Meanwhile, Bloomfield had asked voters to approve a 2-mill levy to replace an expiring 2-mill levy. The school district is once again asking for the 2-mill levy to be approved.

More:Mill levy fails in Aztec and Bloomfield, passes in CCSD

How much more will residents pay in property taxes if the mill levy passes?

Numbers provided by County Assessor Jimmy Voita show Aztec residents whose houses are valued at $100,000 would pay $62.87 more if the mill levy passes than if it fails. Residents whose property is valued at $200,000 would pay $120.75 more if the mill levy passes.

In Bloomfield, residents with property valued at $100,000 would pay $66.67 more if the mill levy passes than if it fails and residents with property valued at $200,000 would pay $133.33 more if the mill levy passes.

The San Juan County Commission confirmed property tax rates for 2019 during a special meeting on Sept. 19. The New Mexico Department of Finance Administration sent the county two certificates to approve. One certificate provides the mill rate for the various parts of the county if the voters approve the mill levy. The other certificate provides mill rates based on the voters rejecting the mill levy.

Regardless of how the mill levy election goes, Aztec and Bloomfield as well as the special tax district between the two cities will continue to have higher property taxes than the rest of the county.

How will property taxes change in Farmington, Kirtland?

Residential property in Farmington Municipal School District and in Kirtland will see property tax increases regardless of the November election.

Residential property inside Farmington city limits will have an approximately 0.04 percent increase while residential property in the county within Farmington Municipal School District Boundaries will have a nearly 0.037 percent increase.

That means a residential property valued at $150,000 within Farmington city limits will see an increase of $20.65. Residential property outside city limits but within school district boundaries will see an increase of $18.25.

Residential property in and around Kirtland will see a nearly 0.036 percent increase. That means residential property valued at $150,000 will see an increase of $17.80.

People who live in and around Kirtland have the lowest property tax rates in San Juan County.

Hannah Grover covers government for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652 or via email at hgrover@daily-times.com.

Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e