Scott,
Trying to read between the lines, and not being too familiar with the the current school funding formula, am I hearing that RE-2 residents may be paying lower property taxes in relation to property value than those paying taxes in other districts with lower property values? Of course, Routt residents and our visitors also pay the 0.5cent sales tax for the Fund Board monies. It would be interesting to try to compare the overall tax burden of the Routt County resident in each of the three districts SOROCO, Steamboat, and West Routt (factoring in the sales tax) in comparison to other areas in the state in terms of: overall burden, as a percentage to their property value, and as a percentage of median income. You have mentioned severance tax a few times and how that plays into the funding mechanism. Would this new bill pull more severance tax away from the counties that it is intended to compensate for energy impacts?
Great approach by the Ski Area, much more community oriented than other resort's no-fun policies. Erich, maybe don't come down See Ya - from my experience that is the main route up.
This is really disappointing to a community near and dear. As always, it seems that all parties have something to learn from this. Use of public facilities are vital to the community but is a privilege. School District officials have held an entire community responsible for the actions of a small minority and seem unduly harsh in the eyes of many. It also seems that the warnings over the past years were not passed down to the users with enough clarity or weight. I can speak for many when I say this is a complete surprise.
The Middle School is the best facility in town for indoor soccer and we owe a debt of gratitude to Tim Bishop and the School District for its availability over the past years. It leaves me disappointed that the rhetoric is so harsh from the School District. We all can take responsibility for the wear and tear on the gym as we play the game with enthusiasm. But I hope Tim Bishop (and the community as a whole after reading this article) knows that the other reasons for our expulsion are due to a small few and are not reflective of the soccer community.
The only "restriction" that I am aware of to date is that Routt County asked that Quicksilver install a few more ground water monitoring wells, test a baseline, and test a bit more frequently than the State requires at a site up-gradient of Milner's municipal water supply. A construction company that pumps water out of the bottom of a foundation excavation into a ditch has more stringent regulations than that. Am I missing something? There has been much discussion and concern, but it doesn't seem that Routt County has put up a roadblock to O&G development. Haven't there been three well permits issued this year?
When is it time to move beyond the survival mode mentality that has been necessary for the past few years? It is time to articulate our vision forward even if cautious steps are still warranted. There are pieces and parts scattered about and good people leading the varied efforts. Thank you to the Editorial Board for helping the discussion along.
I wish we didn't have to always pit the economy versus the environment. It creates a zero sum game where it doesn't need to be. I wish there was an option "Yes, if done with proper environmental and visual controls".
oh the frantic tension of a powder morning. A few years back I witnessed an 11th rule, send the kid up the line hollering "DAD! DAD!", then wait 5 or so minutes and go yourself yelling "SON! SON!" - this couldn't have been you and Casey, was it?!?
Ben Beall 2 months, 1 week ago on Paige Boucher and Erin Brosterhous: An insider’s view of Steamboat’s outdoor industry
Paige Boucher and Erin Brosterhous: An insider’s view of Steamboat’s outdoor industry
Add HALA stand up paddleboards to the recent local OR startups.
Ben Beall 2 months, 3 weeks ago on Major school finance bill a mixed bag for Routt County educators
Major school finance bill a mixed bag for Routt County educators
Scott, Trying to read between the lines, and not being too familiar with the the current school funding formula, am I hearing that RE-2 residents may be paying lower property taxes in relation to property value than those paying taxes in other districts with lower property values? Of course, Routt residents and our visitors also pay the 0.5cent sales tax for the Fund Board monies. It would be interesting to try to compare the overall tax burden of the Routt County resident in each of the three districts SOROCO, Steamboat, and West Routt (factoring in the sales tax) in comparison to other areas in the state in terms of: overall burden, as a percentage to their property value, and as a percentage of median income. You have mentioned severance tax a few times and how that plays into the funding mechanism. Would this new bill pull more severance tax away from the counties that it is intended to compensate for energy impacts?
Ben Beall 6 months ago on Steamboat Ski Area adopts new uphill ski policy
Steamboat Ski Area adopts new uphill ski policy
Great approach by the Ski Area, much more community oriented than other resort's no-fun policies. Erich, maybe don't come down See Ya - from my experience that is the main route up.
Ben Beall 6 months, 2 weeks ago on Steamboat cyclists show well in time-stretched event
Steamboat cyclists show well in time-stretched event
Joel, It's Helen Brown, not Jones
Ben Beall 6 months, 2 weeks ago on Loss of gym use trips up Steamboat's indoor soccer league
Loss of gym use trips up Steamboat's indoor soccer league
This is really disappointing to a community near and dear. As always, it seems that all parties have something to learn from this. Use of public facilities are vital to the community but is a privilege. School District officials have held an entire community responsible for the actions of a small minority and seem unduly harsh in the eyes of many. It also seems that the warnings over the past years were not passed down to the users with enough clarity or weight. I can speak for many when I say this is a complete surprise.
The Middle School is the best facility in town for indoor soccer and we owe a debt of gratitude to Tim Bishop and the School District for its availability over the past years. It leaves me disappointed that the rhetoric is so harsh from the School District. We all can take responsibility for the wear and tear on the gym as we play the game with enthusiasm. But I hope Tim Bishop (and the community as a whole after reading this article) knows that the other reasons for our expulsion are due to a small few and are not reflective of the soccer community.
Ben Beall 8 months ago on Citizens Supporting Property Rights: Balance, respect needed
Citizens Supporting Property Rights: Balance, respect needed
The only "restriction" that I am aware of to date is that Routt County asked that Quicksilver install a few more ground water monitoring wells, test a baseline, and test a bit more frequently than the State requires at a site up-gradient of Milner's municipal water supply. A construction company that pumps water out of the bottom of a foundation excavation into a ditch has more stringent regulations than that. Am I missing something? There has been much discussion and concern, but it doesn't seem that Routt County has put up a roadblock to O&G development. Haven't there been three well permits issued this year?
Ben Beall 8 months, 3 weeks ago on Our View: Lifestyle economy a worthy investment
Our View: Lifestyle economy a worthy investment
When is it time to move beyond the survival mode mentality that has been necessary for the past few years? It is time to articulate our vision forward even if cautious steps are still warranted. There are pieces and parts scattered about and good people leading the varied efforts. Thank you to the Editorial Board for helping the discussion along.
Ben Beall 9 months ago on Do you support oil and gas exploration in Routt County?
Do you support oil and gas exploration in Routt County?
I wish we didn't have to always pit the economy versus the environment. It creates a zero sum game where it doesn't need to be. I wish there was an option "Yes, if done with proper environmental and visual controls".
Ben Beall 1 year ago on Steamboat's Peter Hall designs new stand-up paddleboarding gear
Steamboat's Peter Hall designs new stand-up paddleboarding gear
Yeah Peter!
Ben Beall 1 year, 3 months ago on Eugene Buchanan: Working the line
Eugene Buchanan: Working the line
oh the frantic tension of a powder morning. A few years back I witnessed an 11th rule, send the kid up the line hollering "DAD! DAD!", then wait 5 or so minutes and go yourself yelling "SON! SON!" - this couldn't have been you and Casey, was it?!?