The Del Norte Town Board adopted a $1.8 million general fund budget for 2026 at its December 10 meeting, a $200,000 increase from 2025 with no change to the town’s mill levy.
The budget increase reflects salary adjustments, increased utility costs, and equipment replacement needs. The mill levy remains unchanged from 2025, though some property owners may see tax increases due to reassessment cycles.
“We have no tax increase – the mill levy remains the same as 2025,” the town manager told the board during budget adoption.
Water and Sewer Rate Increases
The board approved 5% increases for both water and sewer rates effective 2026. A household using 5,000 gallons per month will see combined water and sewer bills increase approximately $4 monthly.
Staff explained the increases are necessary due to rising costs for water treatment chemicals, equipment maintenance, and state-mandated water quality testing requirements. The rate increases also fund the town’s 10-year water line replacement program focusing on oldest lines first.
Commercial rates use the same percentage increase but apply to higher base usage tiers.
Graywater Systems Prohibited
Town Attorney Eugene Farish presented an ordinance prohibiting installation and use of graywater treatment systems within Del Norte, joining Rio Grande County and other municipalities that have opted out of the state’s new graywater authorization.
Under Colorado House Bill 14-1362, effective January 1, 2026, graywater collection, treatment, and use is authorized statewide except where prohibited locally. “That’s the key to this – it’s going to be authorized unless prohibited,” Farish said. “So if you don’t opt out, you’re going to be in.”
Graywater is wastewater collected from bathroom sinks, bathtub showers, and laundry machines, excluding wastewater from toilets, urinals, kitchen sinks, dishwashers, and laundry utility sinks.
Farish emphasized the ordinance does not prohibit residents from taking dishwater and putting it on flowers. Rather, it pertains to formal graywater systems that require “significant regulation and administrative oversight” to implement safely.
The ordinance takes effect immediately and prohibits new graywater systems except any already permitted as of the effective date. The board approved the ordinance unanimously.
Ballot Questions on Term Limits, Election Dates
The board voted 6-1 to place a term limits question on the ballot asking whether elected officials should be limited to serving no more than two consecutive four-year terms. The limitation would apply going forward from voter approval, not retroactively.
The board unanimously approved placing a second question to align municipal elections with the general election calendar in November, which typically increases voter turnout.
Equipment Purchases Approved
The board approved a $38,500 purchase of a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado for the police department to replace a vehicle with 147,000 miles that recently required a $4,200 transmission repair. The board also approved $16,187.50 for geotechnical testing related to ET Towers’ pole installation on D Mountain to determine if soil can support the pole design.
Liens Certified for Collection
The board certified $12,847 in delinquent town service charges across seven accounts to the Rio Grande County Treasurer for collection through property tax bills.
Chamber Tourism Grant Support
The board approved a letter of support for the Del Norte Chamber of Commerce’s application for a state tourism management grant to fund a wayfinding directory sign. Jack Yeaton, representing the chamber, explained the application eliminates infrastructure improvements that excluded the chamber from receiving the grant last year.
Other Actions
The board approved a liquor license change for Mellow Moon to a Hotel/Restaurant License, November 12 meeting minutes and financial reports, and ordinances appropriating 2026 funds and formally levying the unchanged property tax mill levy.
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