What We Know
- Recently mailed Valencia County property tax bills contain duplicate mill levies for up to three taxing authorities:
- Mid-Rio Grande Conservancy District
- Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District
- Valencia County Arroyo Flood Control District
- Mid-Rio Grande Conservancy District
- These taxing authorities may appear twice on the same bill:
- once under a full name, and
- once under an abbreviated name.
- once under a full name, and
- The issue is not consistent across taxpayers:
- Some property owners have all three duplicated,
- Some have only one or two duplicated, and
- Some have no duplications at all.
- Some property owners have all three duplicated,
- In each duplicated case, the same mill levy rate is applied twice.
- Despite identical mill rates, the calculated dollar amounts differ between the full-name and abbreviated entries for the same taxing authority.
- The grand total due equals the sum of all listed levies, including the duplicated entries.
- The Treasurer’s Office has stated that:
- the overall total due is correct,
- the errors exist only within individual levy line items, and
- the problem is due to a software error.
- the overall total due is correct,
Additional Errors Identified
After reviewing multiple bills, taxpayers have identified additional, serious calculation and accuracy issues beyond the duplicated levies:
- Most mill levy items appear to be calculated incorrectly
In many cases, only the duplicated levy lines appear to be mathematically correct, while the primary levy lines are not.
- Example:
- School Residential mill levy rate: 11.774
- Total taxable value: $78,967
- Correct calculation:
78,967 × 0.011774 = $929.76 - Amount shown on bill: $760.67
- School Residential mill levy rate: 11.774
- This is not a rounding issue — it is a substantial discrepancy.
- Example:
- Incorrect mill levy rate listed for UNM Valencia Branch–R
- The bill lists the mill levy rate as 1.874,
- The correct rate should be 1.876.
- While the difference appears small, accuracy in mill levy rates is critical, as these values are applied countywide.
- The bill lists the mill levy rate as 1.874,
- Improper rounding on duplicated levies
Even where calculations are otherwise correct, rounding has been applied improperly.
- Example:
- MRGCD mill levy rate: 6.069
- Calculated tax amount: $479.250723
- Correct rounding: $479.25
- Amount shown on bill: $479.26
- MRGCD mill levy rate: 6.069
- While this is only a one-cent difference for an individual taxpayer, applied across thousands of properties, this results in a non-trivial overcollection.
- Example:
What We Don’t Know
- Why a claimed software error would affect taxpayers unevenly, with some bills showing no duplication and others showing multiple duplications.
- Why incorrect calculations appear on most levy lines, while duplicated lines are often calculated correctly.
- Why incorrect mill levy rates appear on official tax bills.
- Why rounding rules were inconsistently or incorrectly applied.
- Which levy lines are accurate, and which are not.
- How the County determined the “correct” total due, given the multiple layers of error.
- Whether corrected bills will be issued, or whether taxpayers are expected to pay amounts that cannot be independently verified.
- Why no formal written explanation or public notice has been issued despite the scope of the problem.
Why the Current Explanation Doesn’t Add Up
If this were purely a formatting or display issue, errors would be:
- consistent across taxpayers, and
- isolated to presentation, not calculation.
Instead, taxpayers are seeing:
- inconsistent duplication,
- incorrect calculations,
- incorrect mill levy rates,
- and improper rounding.
Because the grand total equals the sum of all listed levies — including duplicates and miscalculations — the math only works if those errors are being counted. This directly contradicts the claim that taxpayers are not being overcharged.
What Needs to Happen Next
- Immediate written clarification from the County explaining:
- the root cause of all identified errors,
- why taxpayers were affected inconsistently,
- which levy lines are incorrect,
- and how the correct tax amount was calculated.
- the root cause of all identified errors,
- Corrected tax bills or formal adjustments, not verbal assurances.
- Clear, public guidance instructing taxpayers whether they should:
- pay the bill as issued,
- pay a corrected amount,
- or wait for revised statements.
- pay the bill as issued,
- Transparency and accountability, including acknowledgement of the errors and a documented plan to prevent recurrence.
Property taxes are mandatory and time-sensitive. When bills contain duplicated levies, incorrect rates, faulty calculations, and improper rounding, public trust is undermined. Taxpayers deserve accurate bills, consistent treatment, and clear explanations before being asked to pay.
What Can You Do?
- Attend tonight’s County Commission Meeting at 5:00 PM.
Why this matters: Public comment creates an official record and ensures concerns are heard directly by decision-makers. If you are able to speak, please arrive at least 15 minutes early to sign up. 444 Luna Ave, Los Lunas, NM. - Submit a report to the Office of the State Auditor.
Why this matters: The State Auditor can independently review financial and administrative errors and determine whether additional corrective action or oversight is required.
Report online: https://nmosa.caseiq.app/portal/reportonline - Submit a complaint to the New Mexico Attorney General.
Why this matters: The Attorney General’s Office reviews complaints involving potential violations of law or failures in government accountability and consumer protection.
Submit here: https://nmdoj.gov/get-help/submit-a-complaint/ - Contact the County Assessor, Treasurer, and County Commissioners directly.
Why this matters: These offices are responsible for assessment, billing, and oversight. Direct constituent communication helps ensure the seriousness of the issue is understood and prioritized.
County Commissioners:
