Maybe the third try is a charm?

Bayfield town officials want to give a one-percent sales tax hike another try, and this time they're asking citizens to form a group to support the concept.

The question was defeated by Bayfield voters in two municipal elections in 2014.

Without the sales tax increase, the town will have to defer street maintenance, hike fees, or cut town staff or departments to balance its budget.

That's the message Town Manager Chris LaMay gave to an interested group of residents who attended a citizens meeting last week to learn about the topic.

LaMay hopes there will be enough interest for a citizen support group to form and educate voters about the tax.

"We need to do a better job educating voters," LaMay told the two dozen people gathered on Feb. 24 at town hall.

A one-percent increase in town sales tax, from 2 to 3 percent, would provide an estimated $200,000 a year for the town to use primarily for road and sewer projects. A 2013 study found a $2.3 million backlog of street maintenance and $1.7 in stormwater management needs.

After $1.3 million was spent in 2014 on streets, the backlog is down to $1 million, LaMay said. The $1.3 million in road improvements came from the $6.8 million the Colorado Department of Transportation paid the town to take over the Bayfield Parkway. The remainder of that money needs to be used to replace the twin bridges.

LaMay said deferring street maintenance saves money in the short run, but costs more down the road. Every $1 spent on street maintenance saves $6 to $10 that will be needed to rebuild streets in 10 years.

"We still believe the sales tax should be put on the table," LaMay said.

Town residents at the meeting, as well as county residents in attendance, generally seemed to be in favor of the tax.

It's a fairness issue, said Ron Dunavant. County residents should help pay for streets and services they use in town, he added.

The town needs to tout the progress it has made in economic development, said Anne Cook. That includes helping attract the Mercy Regional medical clinic to town and street improvements.

She agreed that a sales tax is a fairer way to raise funds from area residents.

"We can't do it through fees," she said.

LaMay said a sales tax support group would be asked to recruit members, provide outreach, raise funds for printing and advertising, and work on branding and messaging.

The next meeting for the group will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at Bayfield Town Hall.