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Consultants propose $15,000 voter survey, engagement program to test possible Montezuma County revenue measure
Summary
Magellan Strategies and two partner firms told Montezuma County commissioners they can complete a countywide voter survey in about 30 days for roughly $15,000, deliver top-line results within 48 hours and provide public-facing materials to educate voters if the county later refers a revenue question to the ballot.
Montezuma County commissioners heard a presentation from Magellan Strategies and partner firms on a proposed countywide voter survey and public-engagement program designed to test and prepare a potential revenue measure.
David Flaherty of Magellan Strategies told the Board the firm would run an initial, randomized text-invitation survey that first measures baseline support with an "uninformed" ballot question and then presents the verbatim ballot language in an "informed" follow-up. "No decisions have been made," Flaherty said, adding the approach is intended to "educate and inform your residents" about why the county might seek new revenue.
Why it matters: Commissioners noted the county faces budget pressure and that voter perceptions about affordability and who provides services will shape any ballot outcome. The presenters said the survey would include cross-tabs, verbatim open-ended responses and visual aids (for example, charts showing budget changes after Gallagher-related shifts) to help the public understand trade-offs.
How the survey works: Magellan said it uses MMS/text invitations with unique links tied to the county voter file rather than phone-only interviewing, which the firm argued yields higher response rates and prevents duplicate responses. Courtney Severs and Public Alignment partners Sarah O'Keefe and Brian David Blakely explained they would translate survey findings into communication assets — a public-facing web page, fact sheets, FAQs and recommended outreach tactics — and that advocacy-marketing partners could support a later campaign phase if the county refers a question to the ballot.
Timing, deliverables and cost: Flaherty said a valid survey can be fielded in roughly 30 days once the questionnaire is finalized; top-line results would be available within 48 hours of fieldwork ending and a full presentation within about five working days. The presenters described a benchmark package of roughly $15,000, estimating about 500 completed interviews and deliverables including a survey presentation, verbatim summaries, cross-tabs and a short public-facing summary.
Commissioner concerns and next steps: Commissioners asked whether the precise ballot language would be tested in the survey; Flaherty said the firm can include the verbatim language but that the county should have legal review before finalizing any ballot text. Commissioners also raised scheduling questions tied to TABOR and Secretary of State filing windows for ballot referrals, and asked that the survey educate voters about local revenue sources (several commissioners mentioned Kinder Morgan revenue declines and state property-tax actions). Several commissioners emphasized that affordability is a central voter concern given the county's relatively older electorate.
Decision point: No formal action was taken; the board said any decision on whether to hire the vendors would require action in a public meeting. The presenters left pricing and a proposal for the board and staff to review.
Next steps: If the board chooses to proceed, staff and the vendors will finalize questionnaire language, confirm statutory filing deadlines, and schedule fieldwork and follow-up reporting.
