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Gunnison council votes to delay metering irrigation connections south of the river
Summary
After a months‑long project to install irrigation meters, city staff recommended not installing meters on the south‑of‑river irrigation line now; council approved a motion to defer metering and direct staff to use remaining grant contingency for other system improvements.
The Gunnison City Council voted to defer installation of irrigation meters on the portion of the irrigation distribution system south of the river and to pursue other uses for remaining project contingency funds.
The decision followed a lengthy staff briefing and discussion with Kelly, a city staff member on the phone, who explained project funding and state obligations. Kelly told the council the project currently has about $300,000 in contingency remaining. “Right now, about $300,000,” Kelly said when asked how much contingency remained.
Council members and staff discussed whether the state mandate to meter irrigation connections applies to the city, given that the irrigation water is delivered and operated by an irrigation company and the city does not own the water rights. Kelly summarized the city’s reading of the state rule: the obligation to meter typically falls on the water‑right owner and the water purveyor, not on a municipality that holds shares but does not operate the distribution.
Staff estimated that metering every connection on the farming system — including farm and large connections — could cost roughly $450,000–$500,000. Kelly later gave a residential‑only ballpark of about $350,000. “I think it was around $4.50, 4 70 5, maybe even approaching 500,000 for all the connections,” Kelly said; when councilors asked about residential cost only, staff said about $350,000.
Council discussion touched on who would pay for meters if the city installed them and on the practical effect of metering for policing usage on the farm system. City staff also noted a potential alternative: install a master meter near the pond that would measure inflow and outflow, which would help track volumes even without meters on every connection.
After discussion, Councilman Sean Craig moved to not meter the south side of the river at this time; Councilwoman Keogh seconded the motion. The council recorded votes in favor from Mayor Charles, Councilman Mike Warner, Councilman Sean Craig, Councilwoman Hill and Councilman Anderson; the chair declared the motion passed.
City staff said the project deadline for expenditure and close‑out with the state is 2031 and that the city would continue to evaluate options if conditions change — for example, if the irrigation pond were enlarged or if the city later acquired the irrigation line. Staff also said unused contingency could be used for related irrigation system improvements or to purchase spare meters for future needs.
The council’s motion leaves the option open to revisit meter installation if circumstances — including funding, pond capacity, or a change in ownership of the irrigation system — change.
