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Council delays use‑tax ballot language after dispute over vehicle language
Summary
Monument council continued a public hearing on a proposed ballot measure to raise the town's use tax to 3.5%, directing staff and two council members to revise ballot language after heated debate over whether vehicle purchases should be covered. The ordinance was continued to Aug. 17, 2026 (7–0).
The Monument Town Council continued a public hearing on Ordinance 19‑2026 — a proposed ballot question to increase the town's use tax — after council members pressed staff to clarify whether vehicle purchases would be included.
Finance Director Jennifer Phillips told council that the town currently applies a 2% use tax broadly to construction and certain out‑of‑state purchases and recommended moving the use tax to parity with the sales tax at 3.5%. "The use tax that we currently have ... they're charged a 2% use tax," she said, explaining that most of the burden typically falls on developers buying construction materials.
Several council members said the ballot text, as drafted, bundles distinct items — construction materials and vehicle consumption — into a single paragraph that could confuse voters. One council member said the survey used to test public support had not mentioned vehicles and called inclusion of vehicle language a potential "bait and switch." Others argued vehicle revenue would be a minor portion of proceeds but could create significant public outreach and implementation issues.
Council asked staff to calculate the likely revenue tied specifically to vehicle purchases before finalizing the ballot language; Phillips estimated one possible figure as "1,200,000" but agreed staff would provide a precise calculation. The town attorney warned that some statutory language is required in the ballot question under CRS 29‑2‑109, which constrains edits.
To give staff and attorneys time to finalize legally compliant, clearer wording, the council voted to continue Ordinance 19‑2026 to the Aug. 17 regular meeting. The motion to continue passed 7–0.
The council directed two members to work with staff and the town attorney on the draft ballot language and to report back before the August packet deadline.
