By: STAFF WRITER
The Salida City Council met on October 21, 2025, with a full agenda that included zoning repeals, compensation changes for elected officials, a new budget adoption, and multiple resolutions affecting the city’s financial and development outlook. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a call to order by Mayor Dan Shore before proceeding to a consent agenda that included approval of minutes, liquor licenses for upcoming Elk’s Lodge events, and the first reading of an ordinance to remove Chaffee County’s residency requirement for short-term rental business licenses.
South Ark Annexation Approved
The council held a public hearing on the 2.17-acre South Ark Annexation, property wholly owned by the City of Salida and located adjacent to the Vandaveer Ranch planned development. Senior Planner Carolyn Poissant explained that the parcel is deed-restricted for recreational use and was being incorporated to allow park and trail development. The council approved Ordinance 2025-19, finalizing annexation, followed by Ordinance 2025-20, zoning the land as R-2 Low-Density Residential until a new open-space zoning category becomes available under the upcoming land-use code.
Council Approves Compensation and Insurance Changes
Finance Director Aimee Tihonovich presented Ordinance 2025-21, amending the Salida Municipal Code to update compensation and medical insurance coverage for elected officials. Under the new policy, council members, the mayor, and the city treasurer may buy into the city’s health-insurance plan under the same terms as city employees, but the city will no longer contribute toward dependent coverage. The change, which applies to future terms beginning after the next election, is expected to save the city about $50,000 in the 2026 budget. The measure passed unanimously after brief discussion clarifying that current officials will retain their existing coverage until the end of their terms. No council members made formal comments during this discussion.
Emergency Repeal of 5-H LLC Zoning
City Attorney Geoff Wilson introduced Ordinance 2025-22, an emergency ordinance repealing Ordinance 2025-15, which had approved high-density R-3 zoning for the 5-H LLC property. A referendum petition filed August 27 and certified September 23 halted the earlier ordinance. Wilson advised that repealing the zoning immediately would save roughly $30,000 in special-election costs and close the matter. After a short pause for council discussion, none of the members—including Councilor Justin Critelli—offered additional remarks. The ordinance passed unanimously, repealing the prior zoning and voiding the associated annexation agreement.
World Polio Day Proclamation
The council adopted Resolution 2025-47, establishing October 24 as World Polio Day. Council Member Suzanne Fontana, a longtime Rotary Club supporter, noted Rotary’s global effort to eradicate polio and thanked local volunteers for their continued work.
2026 Budget Adopted
Finance Director Tihonovich then presented the city’s proposed 2026 budget (Resolution 2025-48), calling it a tight year for the general fund. Sales-tax revenue is projected to rise 3 percent, but inflation and capital expenses—especially the ongoing police-station improvements and water-tank projects—will keep reserves low through 2026. Staff highlighted over $900,000 in cuts already made to maintain fiscal balance. The council discussed reallocating $30,000 originally reserved for a special election toward mental-health co-responder programs and the Chaffee County Community Foundation. Police Chief Russ Johnson described the co-responder program’s value in addressing mental-health crises, noting 49 joint response calls in 18 months. Councilors expressed support, with Council Member Alisa Pappenfort suggesting a $25,000 contribution to the program and another $15,000 to the community foundation’s grant-matching fund. The budget and amendments passed unanimously.
Artspace Lease Extension
Council next approved Resolution 2025-50, amending the ground-lease agreement with Artspace Projects Inc. for the long-delayed downtown live-work housing complex. Artspace representatives explained that the project remains a state-priority development, backed by a $1.75 million Community Revitalization Tax Credit. The extension grants 12 more months to secure financing while preserving affordability commitments. Councilor Dominique Naccarato praised the project as ‘a beautiful addition to the city’s creative corridor.’
Lodging Tax Agreement
The council also passed Resolution 2025-51, entering into an intergovernmental agreement with Chaffee County, Buena Vista, and Poncha Springs on revenue sharing if Ballot Measure 1A—the county-wide 4 percent lodging-tax increase—passes in November. Salida’s share could reach $660,000 in the first year, earmarked for public safety, housing, and child-care initiatives. Councilors expressed optimism that the new revenue could strengthen general-fund reserves and support upstream community programs.
Public Comments and Closing
During public comment early in the meeting, resident John Turbush invited officials to an upcoming member-appreciation event, and several residents spoke in favor of keeping local control of short-term rentals. Later, council discussion previewed Ordinance 2025-23, which would remove the Chaffee County residency requirement for short-term-rental applicants. That ordinance passed on first reading, with a public hearing set for November 4. Mayor Shore closed the meeting by thanking staff for their work on the 2026 budget and residents for ongoing participation in community issues. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
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