Castle Valley council approves minutes correction, sets May 21 public hearing on property tax increase

Castle Valley — Castle Valley Town Council recorded two formal actions at its Feb. 19 meeting: approval of corrected minutes from the Jan. 15 regular meeting, and a vote to set a public hearing on a proposed property tax increase of $75,000 to be held May 21, 2025.

Minutes correction: A council member raised that Item 9 (payment to Mountain West) had an omission in the Jan. 15 minutes. A motion to approve the Jan. 15 minutes with that correction was made and passed on a voice vote; the meeting record shows the motion carried with an affirmative voice vote (“Aye”).

Property tax hearing: Council members discussed a proposed increase of $75,000 to the town’s property tax revenue (described by staff as a roughly 64% increase in the Castle Valley portion of the property tax levy). Staff and council said the additional revenue would primarily support the road department (more labor hours, better preventive maintenance and equipment upkeep), rebuild capital reserves and cover IT/administration needs. The council voted to set May 21, 2025, as the public hearing date for the proposed increase and to file the required notice of intent with county staff by March 1. The motion to set the hearing passed by voice vote (recorded as “Aye”).

Context and next steps: Staff said the town would prepare scenario examples to show residents how the $75,000 would translate to per‑property increases and would post required public‑hearing notices. Council members noted the town’s capital funds would be affected by other commitments — notably the $300,000 cost share approved at the same meeting for a culvert repair project — and said a public hearing will allow residents to comment before any tax rate change is finalized.

Other procedural business: The meeting recorded routine items including roll call, staff reports and an adjournment vote.