T’Naus Nieto
The Chronicle-News

During a special meeting of the Las Animas County Board of County Commissioners, officials considered a potential sales tax measure for the Trinidad Youth Club, which they ultimately rejected, citing concerns with the proposed ballot language, among other issues.

Additionally, officials had reservations about allowing a non-profit to proceed with a tax increase, since it could incentivize others to do the same. Notably, they expressed unease regarding unfunded state mandates, such as those related to the county jail, which may require additional funding in the future.

Carlos Lopez, founder of the TYC, stated, “The more money you invest in kids, the less money you have to invest in this jail… At the end of the day, when you’re no longer sitting in those seats, you want to say that you gave people the opportunity to vote on kids’ safety versus to vote on jail money.”

Lopez sought to bring forth a ballot initiative for a sales tax increase to help fund the youth club’s operations, citing uncertain economic times and the increasing competitiveness of funding mechanisms, such as traditional grants, with fewer dollars and more applicants.

The TYC proposed a .25% sales tax increase, which they equated to 25 cents for every $100 spent in the county.

Commissioner Felix Lopez had concerns over what the youth club was asking, since, to him, it didn’t seem clear how any additional funding would work, after the TYC received its hopeful $300,000.

He said, “You’re asking the voters for an open check when you’re looking at the actual dollars.”

According to Felix Lopez, it was unclear where additional money would go if the sales tax exceeded the TYC’s goal.

Carlos Lopez, however, was adamant about the county allowing voters to decide.

Additionally, when asked why Carlos Lopez didn’t create a petition before bringing forth a ballot tax measure to show community support, he claimed that the LAC Clerk and Recorder’s office informed him he wouldn’t need to, since the county could place the ballot measure on its behalf.

The LAC Clerk and Recorders’ office has since denied the claim, stating that Carlos Lopez may have misunderstood the information they conveyed.