GMF to Hold Town Forum on Spree of Controversial Ballot Issues
Rick Langenberg
In a meeting not lacking in bold ideas for changing the way business is done in the town of Green Mountain Falls, elected leaders agreed last week to host an open forum on Feb. 17 to get input regarding a hefty laundry list of forthcoming ballot issues and future planning pursuits
The town hall meeting is tentatively scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will feature an agenda that could have big implications on GMF’s future direction.
Among the topics of discussion could include the possibility of the town petitioning to abandon its ties with the Manitou Springs School District 14 and to become part of the Woodland Park RE-2 School District. This bid, if successful, could offer significant tax-cutting advantages for property owners, according to the town’s head elected leader.
Mayor Todd Dixon stated he has been informed that the percentage of tax revenue that goes to the Manitou School District is significantly more than what it would be, if the town could somehow become part of the Woodland Park RE-2 District. However, it’s still unclear if this prospect is legally possible, or if it would require some type of annexation action, or if residents would favor this approach.
The mayor said he learned of this possibility from an anonymous source, whom he refused to identify. He admitted that more details need to be researched. Plus, he didn’t know if this path to lower taxes, via a transfer to a different district, is possible or worth pursuing. “We really want to hear from the residents,” said Dixon.
At its Feb. 3 meeting, the mayor expressed concerned over the huge percentage of local taxes that are dispersed to the Manitou School District, an amount that will increase even more with the approval of a significant bond issue during the recent election. “Can we petition for a different school district?” asked the mayor.
The trustees didn’t comment too much on this idea but admitted the need for a town hall forum. Town Manager Caleb Patterson asked if the board wanted to keep this forum restricted to the forthcoming ballot issues.
The trustees agreed with this suggestion but didn’t really unveil specific details about the agenda for the Feb. 17 forum, which could get quite lively based on the town of last week’s discussion.
Residents will partake in a coordinated election in November, instead of having a municipal vote in April for the first time in recent history.
Besides the school district question, town leaders may get down to the details of considering plans to put an issue on the Nov. ballot that would answer the question of the type of government local citizens want to have in GMF. Currently, GMF operates under a town manager style of governance, and has a contract with Patterson that extends through 2027.
But in recent years, many citizens have questioned if GMF needs a town manager. This question may ask whether citizens want to keep the status quo system, or adopt a strong mayoral style of government, used in such bigger cities as Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Most smaller cities and towns in Colorado, though, do resort to the town managerial style of government.
Another ballot question up for grabs deals with a one percent sales tax hike. The town could need future revenue in the future, and could use more emergency funds and monies for capital projects. “We kind of dodged a bullet last summer,” said the mayor, in noting the closure of several key businesses, including the Blue Moose Tavern and Cantina Verde, due to a fire for an extended period.
Dixon cited the importance of getting input from the public regarding the town’s future.
The stage is getting set for the Nov. vote, which also will decide three trustee seats and a mayoral position. Candidates for these positions can start circulating petition signatures in early August. To date, Dixon is the only candidate that has announced his preliminary plans to seek re-election.
For the first time in a number of years, residents will get a chance to take advantage of a local ballot box system, instead of having to travel down to Manitou Springs or Colorado Springs, to return their completed ballot. This could result in a higher turnout for local voters.
Planning Commission Dilemma
The upcoming forum will mainly focus on potential ballot issues and other future pursuits. It will not deal with a big question of interest recently: Does the town need a planning commission? A recent meeting of the commission sparked much tension, and led to the resignation of two veteran members, leaving the group with just two members. But the trustees did appoint a new member last week, in picking Will Stark, to fill one of the vacancies.
This question of axing the commission altogether generated some discussion during the board’s Feb. 3 session. Patterson contacted the state’s Department of Local Affairs in researching this issue, and concluded that the town doesn’t need a formal planning commission. He outlined a variety of choices.
This question sparked mixed opinions at last week’s regular meeting. “Is there a need for a planning commission?” questioned the mayor. “We don’t have to have a planning commission…It is an interesting concept.”
The mayor suggested possibly turning the commission into a subcommittee, with more defined roles. Currently, it handles many land use decisions.
Rocco Blasi, who currently serves on the commission, asked why there is such a rush in resolving this question. He suggested that the planning commission address this topic directly at their next meeting.
Earlier, during public comment, Blasi cited a problem with communications between the planning commission and board of trustees. He believes the commission has been kept in the dark on a number of key issues, such as the sale of city properties and selection of a new town planner.
At least for now, he trustees basically retreated from any plans to disband the planning commission group, which has been part of GMF’s operations for decades. They agreed with the Blasi that the commission needed to address this issue at its next meeting, and compile recommendations to the board
In other action, Dixon introduced the town’s new planner, Natalie Nelson, to the public. Nelson, who has strong ties to GMF, and has done much planning work in Summit County and in Colorado Springs, recently assumed this part-time post. This is the first time GMF has hired a town planner in several years.
Nelson currently owns her own A-Z company that produces custom homes, additions and other residential projects.
