Unofficial poll results on Tuesday suggest Ballot Measure 2A, which calls for a 1-cent increase to the existing half-cent sales tax in Glenwood Springs, is a toss-up for Garfield County residents.
As of 9:05 p.m. Tuesday, results show slight support, with 2,120 (51%) ballots voting in favor of the measure and 2,035 (nearly 49%) against. Ballots are still being counted.
Glenwood Springs Mayor Ingrid Wussow noted the complexity of voting on a tax measure.
“I think that any time a tax is on a ballot, it’s a difficult decision for the voters to make, because there are implications to it, both positive and negative. People have to dig in and really understand how a tax measure impacts them.”
If passed, The measure is projected to generate about $5 million in 2025, all of which will go toward repairing city streets, sidewalks, alleys, and updating critical utility systems.
A portion of the funds — about 25% — will be set aside specifically for utility upgrades, which would support city improvements to water, sewer, and other public services that serve the community daily.
The tax increase would be in effect until 2044, allowing Glenwood Springs to plan for long-term upgrades without raising property taxes. Wussow indicated her cautious optimism.
“If it is to pass, then we’ll have the opportunity to continue the half-cent tax we’ve been using for 20-plus years, and we’ll also have another half-cent to apply to infrastructure costs that continue to increase,” Wussow said.
If the measure doesn’t pass, however, Wussow acknowledged concerns about funding gaps.
“If it doesn’t pass, I do worry about the future of funding streets in our community,” Wussow said. “We’ll have another year to see if we can approach it from a different angle.”
Results are unofficial and are subject to change. The Post Independent will continue to update poll results.