Town board elections are a moot point this spring in Bayfield and Ignacio, where both boards had four open seats, and both boards had four candidates file for election.
With no contested seats, the town of Bayfield can cancel its April 3 municipal election. Trustees need to vote at the town board meeting Tuesday to formally cancel the election.
The Town of Ignacio, however, has a one-cent sales tax question on the ballot, so the election will continue.
"We can't cancel part of an election," explained Tuggy Dunton, an administrative assistant for the town.
So running uncontested for mayor will be the incumbent, Stella Cox. Incumbents Dixie Melton and Tom Atencio also filed to run for election, as did Sharon Craig. She will take the seat currently held by Lawrence Bartley, who did not file for re-election.
Also serving on the board are Alison deKay, Edward Box III and Sandra Maez, who all have terms ending in 2020.
If approved by voters, the sales tax could bring in an as much as $225,000 per year, said Mark Garcia, the town's interim manager. It would bring the town's sales tax from 2 percent to 3 percent. There is no sunset on the tax increase.
"We're just trying to catch up with maintenance that's been deferred for years," he said in a previous interview.
In Bayfield, Brenna Morlan and Kelly Polites both filed to retain their trustee seats. Ashleigh Tarkington and David Black are the other two candidates who filed for the office.
Michelle Yost is not seeking another term, along with Jordan Pierce, who was appointed to fill a vacancy this fall.
