Mancos trustees move to place 0.4-point sales-tax question on April ballot, delay decision on new use tax

At the Nov. 12 meeting the Mancos Board of Trustees discussed Ordinance 790, which would place two related tax measures on the Apr. 7, 2026 municipal ballot: a 0.4 percentage‑point sales-tax increase restricted to streets and broadband, and a proposed new 4.4% use tax. Board members debated whether to bundle the two items and how voters might respond.

Trustee Andreas said he supports the sales-tax increase but warned that bundling a brand‑new 4.4% use tax with an increase to an existing sales tax “doesn’t make the most sense” and could depress support for the more modest sales-tax increase. Trustee Nick Manning raised concerns about the impact of a large new use tax on construction projects, noting that for some local construction it could add significant cost. Several trustees said the public outreach that produced past survey support focused on the 0.4-point sales-tax proposal rather than introducing a broad new use tax.

Staff reminded the board that, if the ordinance is approved to appear on the ballot, town staff must remain neutral (the municipality cannot legally use public funds to campaign for or against a ballot question) and may provide only factual informational materials. The board directed staff to return in December with a narrower ordinance focusing on the 0.4-point sales-tax increase and plain-language explanations of the use-tax option so trustees and voters can evaluate it separately.

What’s next: Staff will prepare ballot language and a neutral informational packet for the sales-tax question for the December meeting. Legal and fiscal staff will research mechanics and projected revenue impacts of a municipal use tax and present options for a future ballot if the board chooses to pursue it.

Provenance: discussion of Ordinance 790 and board direction to return in December (SEG 904–SEG 1310).