Three towns in Southwest Colorado will see new faces on their town boards at the next meeting.
In Bayfield, turnout was light, with fewer than 10 percent of more than 1,700 registered voters – 144 people – turning out. It was, however, a vast improvement over 2012, when only 67 voters cast ballots.
Incumbent Michelle Nelson was the top vote-getter, with newcomers Matthew Salka and J.J. Sanders filling in the other two vacant slots.
“It’s spring break in Bayfield,” Nelson said about the turnout, “but we did way better this election.”
The 1 percent sales-tax measure dedicated to streets, transportation and traffic control went down, 75 to 66.
“Staff has done a lot of work on infrastructure,” Nelson said. “So, we’ll be working on that and economic development.”
Matthew Salka, who came in second, said he is happy to now serve the town he calls home.
“Hopefully, I can help make my community a better place,” he said.
In Ignacio, 116 voters, a turnout of 21 percent, re-elected incumbents Dixie Melton, Tom Atencio and Lawrence Bartley to the board, adding newcomer Edward Box III for a two-year term. Ena Millich, who served several years on the board before resigning as mayor in February 2013, received the lowest number of votes out of the seven candidates with 43.
Melton, the top vote-getter, said one big piece of business awaiting the board is the decision of whether to go to voters asking for a sales-tax increase of 1 percent in November.
“We need capital projects, certainly and would like not to have to raise utility rates,” she said, “or maybe we could do some downtown beautification with the money. We haven’t decided how we would dedicate the funds yet.”
Mancos had a bumper crop of candidates, nine, for four openings. Michele Black, Anthony Maestas, Will Stone and Alan Rolston will be sworn in April 9. Stone will serve a two-year term.
Mancos also had a strong turnout of 42 percent of its more than 657 registered voters in its first mail-in election.
Mancos voters also overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure allowing for additional fees on recreational marijuana sales of up to $10 by a vote of 206 to 66.
Like the other two towns that went to the polls Tuesday, Mancos is facing infrastructure needs, including a $2.9 million investment in water meters, water lines and a water-storage tank.
Declining sales-tax revenues are also an issue, and all three boards hope to attract new businesses and new customers to their towns.
abutler@durangoherald.com
Bayfield election results
Out of more than 1,700 registered voters, 144 cast ballots.*
Sales-tax measure
Yes – 66
No – 75
Three Town Council seats
Michelle Nelson – 110
Matthew Salka – 85
J.J. Sanders – 76
John Turgeon – 67
Two write-ins for Lesley Lightwine and Tom Au, who was term limited off the board.
*All results are unofficial until certified.
Ignacio election results
Out of about 540 registered ballots, 116 cast ballots.*
Question A Publish only names of ordinances:
Yes – 57
No – 49
Mayor
Stella Cox, running unopposed, received 86 votes.
Four Town Council seats
Dixie Melton – 87
Tom Atencio – 62
Lawrence Bartley – 59
Edward Box III – 58**
Cecilia Robbins – 53
Audrey Atencio – 48
Ena Millich – 43
*All results are unofficial until certified. **Box will serve a two-year term.
Mancos election results
Out of about 657 registered voters, 280 ballots were cast.*
Marijuana sales tax
Yes – 206
No – 66
Four Town Council seats
Michele Black, 156
Alan Rolston, 132
Anthony Maestas, 117
Will Stone, 114
Timothy Stubbs, 103
Rovilla Ellis, 92
Madeline Williams, 86
Regina Roberts, 78
Matthew Baskin, 73
*All results are unofficial until certified.
