Gunnison County Commissioners Laura Puckett-Daniels and Jonathan Houck told Gunnison City Council Tuesday that the county plans to ask voters for a half-percent sales tax to address a $38 million deferred road maintenance deficit — the largest funding shortfall in county road history.
The proposed tax would exempt groceries, utilities, and gasoline. Commissioners estimated 45 to 50 percent of revenue would come from visitors, with second homeowners and local residents splitting the remainder. A county-hired consultant used AI-equipped cameras to assess every county road and document the deficit. Commissioners said they plan to vote on placing the measure on the November ballot in July.
Council unanimously approved a consent agenda that included a $72,886.25 purchase order for a 2026 Ford F-150 from Silsbee Ford in Texas through the TIPS cooperative procurement program, to replace an aging Neighborhood Services vehicle. Council also approved a sidewalk café license agreement with Grace Murphy of Wildewood LLC for an outdoor seating area at 108A East Georgia Avenue, and rescheduled the July 14 regular session meeting.
City Attorney Kathy Foga and special legal counsel Tim Flynn presented a metropolitan districts overview to council, noting the city already has one such district at Gunnison Rising and anticipates a second development application. Flynn explained that under Colorado’s Special District Act, city council serves as the approving authority for any metropolitan district proposed entirely within city boundaries.
On Old Business, council approved a contract with the Gunnison County Housing Authority to manage deed-restricted housing compliance at the Lazy K Subdivision, replacing a temporary agreement after the Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority dissolved in 2025. Council also adopted Ordinance No. 4 on second reading, finalizing a state drinking water revolving fund loan agreement that carries 100 percent loan forgiveness for water treatment plant design and engineering costs.
Council passed first reading of Ordinance No. 5, updating the city’s noise regulations for the first time since 1997 to add exemptions for specific venues and longstanding community events.
Parks and Recreation Director Dan Wallendorf told council that KFI Ranch has closed operations and vacated Taylor Mountain Park. Staff is honoring existing reservations and will return July 7 with options for council.
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