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Bluff council discusses possible property tax increase to bolster public safety and capital projects
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Summary
At an April 14 work session, Bluff leaders discussed a draft FY2026–27 budget that would raise town property tax revenue by roughly $50,000 a year—changing an estimated typical property bill from about $70 to roughly $160—to fund public safety positions, equipment and several capital projects; a Truth in Taxation process and public hearing timeline were outlined.
Mayor Josh Ewing and town staff outlined a draft FY2026–27 budget and opened preliminary discussion about raising town property tax revenue to support public safety and capital priorities.
Erin Nelson, town staff, presented the budget framework and said Bluff’s total assessed property value rose “from $24.7M in 2021 to over $60M in 2025,” a change she said reduces the town’s share of each assessed dollar unless the town adjusts its levy. Nelson said the draft recommendation is to increase property-tax revenue by about $50,000 annually (to roughly $83,000/year) and to allocate that increase to public-safety needs including a part-time emergency services position, equipment and maintenance or operational expenses.
The council discussed the likely household impact. Nelson said a resident currently paying about $70 per year in Bluff-specific property taxes would see that figure rise to roughly $160 per year under the preliminary estimate; Nelson said staff will provide more specific, address-based dollar figures in May. Mayor Ewing framed the early discussion as a transparency measure so residents and councilors have time to ask questions before any formal decision.
Council members reviewed alternatives to raising property taxes, including an additional 1% transient room tax, a ZAP (Zoo, Arts & Parks) sales tax (which staff said would not raise substantial revenue), and targeted fee changes tied to services. Personnel considerations discussed for the budget included a part-time minute-taker/document specialist (flagged as a way to meet upcoming digital ADA compliance needs), health insurance and retirement benefits for full-time staff, and a maintenance position listed in the draft budget (the minutes record the maintenance line as “2030 hours/month,” which council members noted will need clarification).
Capital projects flagged for FY2027 included a proposed solar-panel installation at the Bluff Community Center—Nelson provided a rough estimate of about $125,000 that would use a generator grant to create a mobile-generator plug-in and could require roof wiring work—and additional funding for a Secondary Water Project estimated near $95,000. The council also discussed potential local initiatives such as a Wayfinding project suggested by Business Owners of Bluff (BOBs) and modest Dark Sky program support to help residents and businesses comply with the town’s Dark Sky ordinance.
Nelson described the Truth in Taxation steps and timeline if the council pursues a levy change: notify the state by June 1, produce comparative notices with the county assessor showing cost-with and without the proposed increase, hold a separate public hearing in August (avoiding conflicts with other San Juan County hearings), and adopt a final budget after that hearing; a preliminary budget would be approved in June pending final action in August.
No formal vote was taken at the work session; councilmembers asked staff for more detailed fiscal calculations and address-specific tax-impact notices ahead of public outreach and the June preliminary-budget process. The council adjourned at 5:31 p.m.