Gunnison council scales back advertised 78% ad figure; residents press against any property tax hike

Gunnison’s mayor and council opened a Truth in Taxation public hearing after the city advertised a potential 78% increase to the municipal portion of property taxes, drawing sustained public criticism on affordability and transparency. The mayor said the 78% number was a preliminary, legally required top-end figure submitted to the county on June 1 and that councilors have since reduced the draft to roughly 29% and will keep the hearing open for further refinement through the 20th.

Why it matters: residents said the early advertisement alarmed homeowners and argued the council should avoid any increase as many families face stagnant wages and rising costs. Carlton Jensen, a resident who spoke at the hearing, said he calculated that under the advertised increase the average Gunnison homeowner’s annual property tax bill would rise from about $350 to $615 and urged the council to cut discretionary spending instead: “I do not support any increase in the percentage Gunnison taxes on property,” Jensen said.

What council said: the mayor and staff explained the advertised figure reflected a preliminary budget that included one-time shortfalls—lost grant funding for a park reconstruction project, lower-than-expected water revenues and higher public-safety costs—and that state rules require publishing the highest plausible rate before final decisions. A staff representative reiterated that the draft has been pared down and council members said they expect further adjustments before adopting a final rate.

Public response and next steps: speakers pressed the council for clearer, line-by-line numbers showing where cuts could be made and asked for more time to review a posted draft budget. The council voted to keep the Truth in Taxation hearing open and will revisit the proposed rate at a scheduled continuation on the 20th; no final tax rate was adopted at this meeting.