In Tuesday’s election, Dolores County voters decided on county commissioners, two tax questions and a term-limit question, according to unofficial results from the Dolores County Clerk and Recorder.
Republican Floyd L. Cook won the District 3 county commission seat, 58% to 42%, over Unaffiliated candidate Kendra Cook. Floyd Cook attracted 783 votes for a second four-year term. Kendra Cook earned 570 votes.
“I am humbled and appreciative of your support and confidence in me, to all who voted, thank you,” Floyd Cook stated on Facebook. “My focus will continue to be on you, the taxpayers and residents of Dolores County, to ensure we are doing what is best for our community.”
He oversees the county Road and Bridge Department, has served terms on the Dove Creek Town Board and Dolores County school board, and has worked in construction for 30 years.
Republican Steve Garchar, who ran unopposed for his second term, won the District 2 county commissioner seat and attracted 1,107 votes.
Also, Dolores County elected Matt Margeson as district attorney for the 22nd Judicial District. He ran unopposed.
Voters passed Ballot Question 6A, 82% to 18%, which will allow mill-levy adjustments for the Rico Fire Protection District to prevent the reduction of operating revenues if the residential tax rate decreases because of the Gallagher Amendment. Of the 210 votes cast, 172 voted for it, and 38 against.
On Ballot Question 6B, voters agreed to remove the requirement that Rico Fire Protection District board members be limited to two consecutive terms, 62.4% to 37.6%, with 133 voting for it and 80 voting against it.
Voters rejected Ballot Issue 6C, which proposed to increase the West Dolores County Cemetery District mill levy by up to 2.122 mills for the purpose of cemetery services and maintenance. The measure failed. 63% to 37%, with 574 voting against it, and 339 voting for it.
Voter turnout in Dolores County was 90%, with 1,427 ballots cast out of 1,626 active registered voters.
As elected DA Margeson serves Dolores and Montezuma counties. He has been a prosecutor with the office, which serves Montezuma and Dolores counties, since 2014. In 2017, he was promoted to assistant DA.
Balancing appropriate punishment and rehabilitative services is a key responsibility for the DA office, he said.
“Our job is to first consider community safety and the victim, and also to prevent an offender from reentering the criminal justice system.”
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
