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City staff presents 2025 levy proposal; council adopts resolution authorizing higher levy to fund roads
Summary
City staff told the City of Montrose council a drop in tax capacity and planned road projects prompted a proposed 17.61% levy increase for 2025; council approved resolution 2024-41 to adopt the levy and budget after public comment and discussion.
City staff presented the proposed 2025 property tax levy during a Truth in Taxation public hearing, saying the city is considering "a 17.61 increase over 2024, bringing our levy to 2.1, roughly," and attributing most of the change to a drop in tax capacity provided by the county.
A string of public commenters urged clarity and cautioned about the impact of the changes on residents and businesses. Property owner Irv Walkman said his commercial property tax bill rose in the proposal from $6,785.98 to $9,867.10 and asked how commercial rates are calculated; a city staff member replied the county assessor sets values and recommended contacting that office for detailed valuation questions. Resident Michael Kelling questioned why Montrose's increase was larger than a neighboring town and warned of possible outmigration if rates spike.
Councilmembers discussed the need to budget now for large, deferred road projects such as Clementa (presented as a roughly $1.213 million project) and Pheasant Ridge (about $600,000), and emphasized planning to avoid future abrupt increases. After discussion, Council moved and seconded a resolution authorizing the 2025 final property tax levy and budget (Resolution 2024-41); the motion passed 5-0. The council said staff will follow up with the county assessor on valuation questions raised during the hearing.
