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Gunnison council adopts final 2025–26 budget after public hearing on pool, meters and modest tax change
Summary
The Gunnison City Council on Monday adopted its final 2025–26 budget (Resolution 2025-13) after residents urged the city to preserve the Gunnison Pool and questioned water-meter fees. Council said the adopted rate will return collections to roughly the 2023 rate and approved the budget on a roll-call vote.
The Gunnison City Council adopted the final 2025–26 budget on Monday after a public hearing that focused on preserving the Gunnison Pool, clarifying new water-meter fees and explaining a modest property-tax adjustment.
Moderator opened the hearing by explaining that the council trimmed the proposed property-tax increase from $325,000 to $294,000, cutting about $31,000 from the original proposal and returning the tax rate to roughly what residents paid in 2023. The chair said that for a home valued at $415,000 the change equates to about "$4.50 more per month or $50 more per year." The council also announced it would reduce a recently proposed monthly meter fee from $9 to $7, effective in September and subject to formal adoption at the next meeting.
Why it matters: The vote finalized a budget that the council says balances near-term operating needs with multi-year reserves for capital projects, while responding to resident concerns about rates and service preservation. Residents and coaches told council members the pool provides affordable recreation, jobs and youth-development opportunities that would be difficult to replace.
Residents and youth spoke in favor of keeping the pool. "The pool is a public good," said Scott Jackson, who described state-champion swim teams, scholarships and the pool’s role in hiring teens as lifeguards. A youth speaker, Riley, and a parent, Kristen Hanson, recounted how the pool supported children with special needs and helped them find community and confidence.
Several residents and council members discussed the scale of capital needs. Council members cited an estimated $800,000 cost to replace the pool roof and said such large repairs are unlikely to be covered by swim lessons or small fundraising alone. "For that roof, we're going to have to rely on taxes, grants or broader community support," one council member said.
On water meters, residents questioned why meters and associated fees are being implemented for neighborhoods north of the river but not for properties served by the farm system south of the river. The council explained this is a result of state law and existing delivery systems: properties on the farm system currently do not receive the city's meters because they are served by a separate distribution arrangement.
The council also highlighted other budget items and capital priorities, including a planned Tar Canyon well project the chair described as an approximately $11 million project, a $3 million irrigation-pond expansion in the five-year plan, and a $50,000 power-backup system required for the city hall as an emergency operations site. The chair said the city expects $5 million in federal support for the Tar Canyon well but that the timing required reapplication after congressional schedule changes.
Action taken: Councilmember Crane moved to adopt the 2025–26 budget as Resolution 2025-13; Councilmember Anderson seconded. The council approved the resolution by roll-call vote with present members voting to adopt.
What’s next: The council will post the final budget documents on the city website and take a final vote to formalize the new $7 monthly meter fee at the next meeting. Council members encouraged residents to assist in fundraising and outreach to neighboring jurisdictions and school-district partners to help cover large capital costs.
Notes: City Administrator Dennis Marker is available for budget questions and will provide the updated budget document on the city website the morning after the hearing.
