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Montezuma County consultants urge survey, transparency as prelude to 2026 sales-tax ballot effort
Summary
Consultants from Magellan Strategies recommended starting with a public survey and clear, department-specific messaging before asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase in 2026; commissioners suggested 1% as a baseline and asked staff to assemble current financial data.
Magellan Strategies told the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners on Monday that the county should begin with survey research and thorough public education before placing a sales-tax question on the 2026 ballot.
"We assume this call was gonna be a work session," David Flaherty of Magellan Strategies said, describing the goal as "to think through revenue needs, and potential ballot measures for 2026." He said the firm would prepare a written proposal, starting with a survey that would "drive everything — strategy and size and scope of community engagement."
County commissioners and consultants discussed possible revenue streams, messaging and past local efforts. One commissioner said a 1% sales-tax would be a reasonable minimum and suggested splitting proceeds roughly 50/50 between Road & Bridge and the sheriff's office; Flaherty cautioned that, even if funds are earmarked in messaging, they technically flow through the county's general fund.
The board recalled a prior "napkin" estimate of about $8,000,000 in needs and said the county's comprehensive plan is outdated; commissioners asked staff to assemble up-to-date department-level costs for any future survey and to provide those numbers to Magellan so the firm can price and scope research.
Magellan said it would return with a proposal including the cost of a survey, a timeline and sample messaging. "We're not gonna ever give the impression you're fishing around for a number," Flaherty said, arguing that transparency about "today's cost of providing services" is crucial to building voter trust.
Next steps: Magellan will draft a proposal and cost estimate for the commission to review; commissioners did not take a formal vote or adopt a ballot question at the workshop.
