Gunnison council adopts 2026–27 budget, raises some fees and okays two code changes

The Gunnison City Council adopted the fiscal year 2026–27 budget on June 17 after a series of public hearings and routine votes, approving related wage and fee proposals and two code amendments.

The council unanimously approved Resolution 2026‑07 to adopt the 2026–27 budget. Manager Dennis Marker said the budget was prepared following state procedures under the Title 10‑6 Uniform Fiscal Procedures Act of Utah Cities and does not anticipate using the truth‑in‑taxation process, meaning no tax increase is included. Marker told the council the budget package includes a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for employees; he said the Western Region Consumer Price Index showed a 12‑month change of 3.5% as of April 2026 and that the 2.5% COLA would cost about $12,237 across all funds and $4,207 in the general fund.

The budget actions included approval of amendments to the 2025–26 year‑end budget (Resolution 2026‑06), which councilors approved earlier in the meeting. Councilor Kim Pickett moved to approve the 2025–26 amendments and Councilor Donald Childs seconded; the roll call recorded Councilors Brian Nielson, Childs, Pickett and Rohn Peterson voting yes.

In a separate vote, the council approved Resolution 2026‑08, a package of fee schedule amendments. The resolution — passed with an amendment requested by Councilor Nielson to add language on legal fees for land‑use applications — makes several changes: it sets or clarifies fees for low‑impact home‑occupation business licenses and land‑use applications; adjusts sanitation charges to reflect higher fuel costs; proposes increasing the local fire services fee from $2 to $4 per month; and introduces a culinary water monitoring fee shown in the draft as $0.02 per 1,000 gallons. Manager Marker explained the culinary monitoring fee is tied to a state mandate and is listed to begin collecting in July 2027 so the city can collect and remit the required amounts on schedule.

Councilors also considered two code amendments forwarded by the Planning Commission. Ordinance 2026‑03 amended sign regulations in the Main Street overlay zone to extend an allowance that lets signs encroach into the public right‑of‑way; the council approved the ordinance with an exclusion to one subsection. On Ordinance 2026‑04, which changes minimum lot width and frontage standards, the council approved the code amendment 3–1: Councilors Rohn Peterson, Kim Pickett and Donald Childs voted in favor and Councilor Brian Nielson voted no.

Other business included a council direction on traffic safety: following a citizen request about speeds on Main Street near schools and businesses, Councilor Pickett asked staff to evaluate the posted limit. Chief Adamson of the Gunnison Police Department expressed support for reducing the speed limit from 45 to 35 mph, particularly near school zones, and the council asked Manager Marker to consult UDOT for formal recommendations.

Staff reports noted a reduction in 9‑mile water delivery beginning June 18 and that drillers are expected back the following week; JD Bunnell recommended monitoring pond levels before imposing water restrictions. Dennis Marker said the July 1 council meeting would be canceled and that the sports‑court project has received a federal approval step and Sunrise was awarded the bid. Council business also included approval of bills totaling $149,802.53, approval of minutes with a small correction, and a brief closed session on a personnel matter.

The council adjourned at 7:53 p.m.