Severance council discusses putting lodging tax and transportation tax on November ballot

Severance council members spent a substantial portion of their June 10 work session reviewing options for measures on the November ballot, including a lodging tax, a rewritten transportation sales‑tax intended to replace the monthly transportation utility fee on utility bills, and potential recreational tax language.

Town Manager Wharton told council the measures must be certified to the county by roughly August and that staff had prepared sample ballot language. Members recalled a previous failed campaign and emphasized the need for clearer wording and better outreach; one resident quoted by the mayor had told him voters “don’t trust the town council or town management on how the money is being spent.” The mayor said staff posts detailed financials online and urged clearer communication to voters about how revenues would be used.

Council discussed TABOR requirements that tax increase language must appear first on a ballot question and whether separate, linked ballot questions (for example, a tax paired with a contingent fee‑elimination question) could be used to clarify choices to voters. Legal staff and the county determine exact wording and order, but council members requested examples of successful ballot language used elsewhere.

Several council members advocated for renewed promotion if the council chooses to proceed, with individual councilors permitted to speak about measures outside of collective campaigning rules; the town itself is limited by statutory spending caps on campaign activities. Council directed staff to continue refining language and to return with answers on sequencing, certification timing, and outreach options. No final placement decision was made at the June 10 meeting.

Next steps: staff to provide final draft language and legal guidance on TABOR wording and certification deadlines; council signaled support for moving measures forward subject to those clarifications.