RIDGWAY TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING
DECEMBER 3, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was held both in person and via virtual meeting portal Zoom Meeting, pursuant to
the Town’s Electronic Participation Policy.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. The Council was present in its entirety with
Councilors Grambley, Kroger, Montague, Schuyler, Scoville, Mayor Pro Tem Lakin and Mayor
Clark in attendance.
- Citizen proposal for budget consideration
Tia Mihelarakis presented a PowerPoint presentation entitled “Keep Ridgway Creative”
stating “to forget art is to forget who we are”. She expressed the importance of art as it
relates to culture and society; “creativity is humanities most important trait” and “people are
our most valuable resource”. She explained the proposal includes explaining the problem,
providing a solution, presenting examples, notes on urgency and a plan of action. She
presented slides depicting “the problems Ridgway creatives are facing” and comments
regarding them from residents.
She noted that “many locals are facing challenges due to high housing costs; reduction in
tourism; lack of studio space; “corporate overshadowing” and “creative theft”; threat of
artificial intelligence “devaluing human artistic skills”. The solution “basic income for
creatives” involving a “regular cash payment to members of the community, without a work
requirements or other conditions” which can create “immediate positive economic impacts
by circulating money back into our local economy”. She stated this is an urgent problem,
and noted a number of Values within the Town Master Plan would be met by “allowing
creatives to survive here for another year without relying on an immediate tourism increase”.
Future plans could include a Creative Arts Center “functioning as a nonprofit to provide
equipment, space, supplies and training for creatives”. Noting “when artists thrive,
communities thrive” and “creatives are the community builders” she suggested a program
in which 100 residents would receive $2000 a month for 12 months.
There were comments by the Council and discussion with Ms. Mihelarakis.
- Overview of budget adoption process
The Town Manager presented an overview of the budget adoption process; financial
overview of the draft budget; operational reserves; personnel and pay movements; revenue
projections and trends in 2026 including a proposed decrease in sales tax receipts.
- Review of draft 2026 Fiscal Year Budget and Five- and Ten-Year Capital Improvement
Plans
The Town Clerk/Treasurer reviewed the draft budget document with the Council; presented
line item location of expenditures; presented and reviewed the five and ten year capital
improvement plans.
Town Council Workshop
December 3, 2025
Page Two
The Council requested a change to the general fund budget.
Tia Mihelarakis expressed concerns with the changing of a local lodging facility to provide
employee housing instead of short term housing. There was discussion with the Council.
- Community Grant Program recommendation of awards
The Town Manager explained the second annual community grant program received 20
funding requests before the September 22
nd
deadline, totaling $117,385. At the October 1
st
meeting the Council allocated funding at two percent of the 2025 general fund expenditures
as a maximum amount, or $92,500. A community Ad Hoc Review Committee reviewed the
requests, and the Manager presented the recommendations totaling $98,205.
The Council agreed with the proposed funding allocations from the Ad Hoc Review
Committee.
- Draft Strategic Plan
The Town Manager presented the draft 2026 Strategic Plan noting it is the work plan for
staff for the next year, and asked for Council input.
There were comments by the Council.
ADJOUNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam Kraft, MMC
Town Clerk