Buena Vista to send letter supporting Chaffee Fire district inclusion process; board signals willingness to offset tax impacts

Buena Vista — May 26, 2026 — Trustees voted to ask the mayor to sign a draft letter to the Chaffee Fire Protection District confirming the town's support for the district's inclusion process and clarifying that the town would consider options to mitigate tax impacts on residents should the ballot initiative succeed.

Staff explained the district's process: the district board must pass a resolution, set a public hearing and notify constituents who would be subject to inclusion. Under the town's existing intergovernmental agreement, Chaffee Fire already provides service and the town currently collects and remits payment on the district's behalf for in-town residents; inclusion would give affected town residents a direct voice in district elections and governance.

Town staff told trustees the draft letter includes an early indication the town would consider a resolution to reduce the town mill rate commensurate with any added district mill levy to offset net tax impacts for those voters. Trustees approved asking the mayor to sign the letter and instructed staff to continue discussions with the fire district over the summer. Legal staff advised caution about using town resources for advocacy once a ballot title is set; until then the town may continue factual discussion and multiple business-item updates.

Next steps: the fire district will proceed with its inclusion schedule; the town will continue to coordinate outreach and may bring additional business items as the district's hearing and ballot schedule advance.