The presidential primary season is over, the municipal elections are over, and it’s nearly seven months until the general election, so we can take a break from our civic responsibilities, right?

Well, no; it wouldn’t be a particularly good idea. On May 2, citizens of Montezuma County will have the opportunity to vote on various issues that have the potential to affect their everyday lives considerably more than the presidential election will.

The Cortez Sanitation district is asking voters to approve a $10 million bond issue to improve and expand the district’s wastewater treatment capacity. Maximum repayment cost would be $17,436,920, and a tax increase to property owners within the sanitation district of $871,846 annually would be implemented to repay the debt.

The Lewis-Arriola Fire Protection District and the Mancos Fire Protection District are asking voters to increase property taxes and, correspondingly, expand revenue limitations to allow them to spend the increased revenue. Lewis-Arriola is requesting an additional 2.0 mills, and Mancos is requesting 3.017 mills,. Both fire protection districts need additional funds to provide equipment and training essential to their mission, and fire protection is not something to stint on.

The strangely named "Montezuma-Dolores County Metropolitan Recreation District," which provides television programming via translator to local residents, has proposed a de-Brucing ballot question that would allow it to spend the revenue from its .777 mill property tax. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights caps the amount of money that can be spent; the television translator association hopes to be able to utilize increased revenues derived from appreciating property values to improve service to this area. No tax increase would be involved.

Voters will choose among seven candidates to fill 3 seats on the Montezuma County Hospital District board of directors. Candidates are incumbent James R. (Rick) Beisel Jr., Remigio de la Candelaria, Keith Domerese, Jeanette Gayle Hart, incumbent Lois Rutledge, Marvin Smith and Sheila J. Wilson.

In June, Southwest Health System will hold a board election at its annual meeting. Incumbents Walt Henes, Roy Henneman and Susan Hatter are seeking to be returned to their seats; they have no challengers. Citizens interested in health care in Montezuma County should plan to attend the meeting. It will be a learning experience.