To: Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting – May 20,2021

REF: PUBLIC COMMENTS AND INPUT ABOUT LODGER’S TAX ORDINANCE AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE ORDINANCE FOR MORA COUNTY.-

Good morning Commissioner’s Serna, Maestas and Trujillo. My name is Nancy Quintana, Mora resident and Editor of La Voz de Mora, the local community newspaper. -

I want bring to your attention it has not already been brought to you before two points that is a concern in the community: Lodgers’ Tax Ordinance 2020-02, and Ordinance 96-01 Occupational License Ordinance for Mora County. -

First, Lodgers’ Tax Ordinance 2020-02

In edition 84 of La Voz de Mora, we publish the letter from Mrs. Christine Wolf, where she manifests her concern and opposition to the Lodger's Tax Ordinance 2020-0.2. In a summary of her letter:

1.- “The ordinance was passed without any knowledge or input from the community.”

2.- “The ordinance was passed in July 22, 2020 at the height of the Covid Pandemic when all the business were closed,” and several others stay closed.

3.- “Mora isn’t a tourist destination yet.”

As in the agenda there isn’t any item about it, and “We the People” elect the public officials, and you most to provide effective and efficient response possible to the concerns and needs of Mora         residents, the questions are:

1.- Are you going to repealed the Lodgers’ Tax Ordinance?

2.- Does the County Manager and County commissioners, consider hosting a workshop to explain the need to have a Lodger Tax ordinance, as the Handbook of Best hospitality practice suggest?

3.- Have you selected the 5-member committee for the Lodgers’ Tax (section 12)?

4.- Are you going to have specific definitions in it, according with Mora County life style?

Secondly, Ordinance 96-01 Revised and amended April 19,2021, which is the item 19 in the agenda. -

This ordinance according with the former county manager was poorly written in 1996 and with all respect, I say it was poorly revised and amended in 2021, maybe because the County is desperate for revenues.

 I think you are very familiar with the   goals and  objectives of the Mora County Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update, adopted by resolution 8-04 by the County Commission on April 10,2018, and the Mora county Zoning and Subdivision Regulations, which is intended to implement and be consistent with the goals, and objectives  of the Mora County Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update, as well; to contextualize a little to those who are not familiar with MCZRS, it is  an ordinance, that was enacted and approved by the Board of County Commissioners on December 28,2018, and become effective on February 5,2019, and by the way the County paid around $66.000 for this two documents or study, I think is a good reason to remember it, right?. And I’m bringing this to your attention because the MCZSR replaces and repeals in its entirety the Mora County Development Guidance System Ordinance, which was passed, adopted and approved by de Board of County Commissioners on July 6, 1995.

So, to me if the MCZSR replaces and repeals the Mora County Development Guidance System Ordinance, means that ordinance 96-01 doesn’t exist, because was repeals in December, 2018. So, in that case you cannot resurrect     the ordinance 96-01 because it was repealed, you would have to give birth to a new one.

Keeping in mind that Mora county has a unique culture, the County commissioners and County Staff, should create ordinance and regulations according with it, and don’t continue to be a COPY AND PASTE laws and regulations from others Counties or big cities, that not apply yet to Mora.

Inform, Educate and then go to the action will help to build a better community, and I want to quote the Mora County Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update, Goal #21:

“GOAL #21- County Government should foster open and effective channels of communication.

 Policy #1. People throughout the County should be encouraged to take an active role in decisions that will impact the future of Mora County.”

 Policy #2. Mora County should strive to provide the most effective and efficient response possible to the concerns and needs of its residents.”

Policy #3. Mora County Should take the lead in establishing vital links between federal, state, regional and private agencies whose actions and policies may impact the future of Mora County.”

 The last question: Are you sure that these ordinances are the right decision for Mora County now?

The Ordinance 96-01 was approved in this regular meeting. Commissioner Serna said that the comments for the Lodger’s Tax Ordinance could have attention in the future.