Wellington board directs consultant search for home‑rule charter outreach and survey; $140,000 budget noted

Wellington Town officials spent the largest portion of the Dec. 9 meeting on a presentation and discussion about pursuing a home‑rule charter. Town Administrator Patty Garcia and Deputy Town Administrator Kelly Hoehling walked trustees through what home rule means (a municipality adopting its own charter under the Colorado Constitution), governance options, limits (state law and TABOR remain applicable) and resident participation through a Home Rule Charter Commission.

Staff told the board the packet includes a projected budget of $140,000 for the home‑rule project and a target first‑election date of November 2026. Hoehling presented two process sequences for the board to consider: Option A (education, then survey, then election) and Option B (survey, then education, then election). Pros and cons were discussed; proponents of education first said early outreach reduces misinformation and builds trust, while proponents of surveying first said an initial survey identifies gaps to target education and avoid wasted outreach spending.

Multiple trustees recommended hiring outside consultants to design and execute the survey and education because consultants can provide statistically valid, impartial surveys, advanced outreach tools and broader reach. Trustees raised procedural questions about nomination petitions for charter commissioners (staff said commissioner nominees must collect valid nomination petitions, and the packet indicates 25 signatures required to appear on the charter‑commission ballot; state rules require a minimum of nine and a maximum of 21 commissioners). Board direction to staff: request proposals from consultants, ask consultants whether Option A or B is advisable for Wellington, proceed with consultant‑led education and survey work, and plan for the November 2026 election timeline if the board chooses to move forward.