Gunnison City Council adopts final amended budget for 2024–25

The Gunnison City Council approved the final amended budget for fiscal year 2024–25 at a public hearing Wednesday, voting to adopt staff-proposed adjustments after a presentation on midyear changes.

Staff presenter (S3) told the council the amended budget reflects nearly $200,000 in additional changes and new special fund accounts created to separate water and sewer impact fees, which state rules require. "Almost $200,000 more," the presenter said, and noted roughly $170,000 in property tax receipts and $64,000 in personal property tax — about $234,000 in combined tax revenue — while also identifying a $186,200 transfer and a midyear PNC storm-bond transfer of about $47,000.

The measure was opened for a public hearing and moved for approval; the motion was seconded and the council recorded affirmative responses on the roll call before adopting the amended budget. The council discussion touched on lower-than-requested property tax estimates from the state and offsetting sales tax increases.

Council members asked staff how long impact-fee funds remain available; staff said sewer impact fees will be used in part for a sewer project and water impact fees have a multi-year spending window (the presenter said "we have 6 years to spend the impact fee funds").

The council approved the amended budget by motion and recorded a unanimous affirmative vote. The adopted budget includes the new special fund accounts and the transfers discussed during the meeting; staff said the adjustments help align midyear operations and set priorities for projects such as the Park Canyon work.

The council did not refer the adopted budget to another committee; implementation steps will be handled by city finance staff as the fiscal year proceeds.