RIDGWAY TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF BUDGET RETREAT
and SPECIAL MEETING
OCTOBER 4, 2025
The Town Council convened for a budget retreat workshop and special meeting at 9:05 a.m. in
the Ridgway Community Center at 201 N. Railroad Street. The meeting was held both in person
and via Zoom Meeting, a virtual meeting portal, pursuant to the Town’s Electronic Participation
Policy.
The Council was present in its entirety with Councilors Grambley, Kroger, Montague, Schuyler,
Scoville, Mayor Pro Tem Lakin and Mayor Clark in attendance.
Town Clerk’s Notice of Budget Workshop Meeting dated September 26, 2025; Notice of Special
Meeting dated September 29, 2025.
The Council received a packet of information including an overview of the budget adoption
process; the draft 2026 Fiscal Year Budget; listing of proposed expenditures within the draft
budget; draft Five and Ten Year Capital Improvement Plans; update to the 2025 Strategic Plan;
requests for funding; affordable housing expenditures since 2021; review of hybrid and electric
vehicles for law enforcement use.
Through a PowerPoint presentation the Town Manager presented the retreat goals; an overview
of the budget adoption process as it relates to the Town Charter; adoption timelines; budget
approach with conservative revenue projections; operational reserves and overview of all funds;
sales tax revenues of original budget versus year end receipts; state economic and revenue
forecast along with projections and trends.
The Town Clerk asked the Council to consider holding another budget workshop prior to the
regular meeting in November. It was agreed to hold the workshop and begin at 4:30 pm.
Members of the Council presented items for consideration in budgeting and capital improvement
planning. Items included setting aside funds for improvements to the Athletic Park; trails in Green
Street Park; a dog park; resurfacing tennis courts; tobacco licensing; increase number of refuse
cans in Hartwell Park; monitor number of beds rented under short term rental licenses; update
restrooms in Hartwell Park.
The Town Clerk presented the draft 2026 Fiscal Year Budget and reviewed with Council the
revenue projections and operational expenditures by each fund, along with a listing of
expenditures staff is requesting to place within the budget. She noted revenues were projected
conservatively.
The Town Clerk presented a report on waiver of fees given to affordable housing projects from
2021 to present, from the general, water and sewer funds.
The Town Manager recommended maintaining the classification and compensation step structure
to ensure the Town maintains a competitive position in attracting and retaining employees. He
noted cost of living projections will be forth coming from compensation consultants, Logic
Compensation.
Marshal Schmalz presented an analysis on use of electric and hybrid patrol vehicles. There was
discussion and the Council agreed use of hybrid vehicles would be preferred.
Town Council Budget Workshop
and Special Meeting
October 4, 2025
Page Two
The Town Manager presented a request for contribution from the Home Trust of Ouray County,
and noted the Town has also committed to contribute to jointly funding a housing administrator.
There was discussion by the Council and it was agreed to fund the request at $35,000.
Manager Neill presented a funding request from EcoAction Partners for $9,325 and the Council
agreed to fund the request as presented.
The Council took a recess for lunch between 12:05 p.m. and 12:35 p.m.
The Council reviewed a request from the Telluride Foundation to participate in the affordable
housing down payment assistance program. It was agreed to place the amount of $50,000 in
the draft budget, and revisit the allocation after the budget is closer to being finalized.
The Town Manager presented a Staff Report dated 9-24-25 regarding the Producer
Responsibility Program for State Statewide Recycling Act. He explained House Bill 22-1355
established the program and requires companies that sell products in packaging to fund a
statewide recycling program. Producers must pay producer responsibility dues on covered
materials and the proposed plan is to use the fees to reimburse consumers for recycling. He
noted it is possible the Town will receive reimbursement, which would allow residential
customers to no longer pay for recycling services by the second half of 2026. The Town
franchise agreement with local collector, Bruin Waste Management, would be amended by the
Circular Action Alliance to pay or reimburse for contracted recycling collection costs. Jeff Kendell
with Bruin Waste Management addressed the proposed process. Chris Trosper with the
company explained compost collection for residential customers will soon be offered.
The Town Manager noted the current franchise agreement for refuse and recycling services
with Bruin Waste Management expires on October 15
th
, and presented a resolution extending
the terms of the agreement to October 15, 2027. He noted modifications to the existing contract
include a consumer price index escalator and the new voluntary residential compost collection.
There were questions from the Council and it was noted the compost will be taken to a facility
in Delta Colorado for processing.
ACTION:
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Lakin to approve Resolution Number 25-09 Extending the Receipt of
Waste, Refuse and Recycling Services from Bruin Waste Management. Councilor Grambley
seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Manager Neill presented the Growing Water Smart Action Plan and discussed the document
with the Council.
The Town Clerk presented a memorandum outlining items staff is requesting Council input on
regarding inclusion in the budget; and draft worksheets of the Five and Ten Year Capital
Improvement Projects by each fund, and reviewed them with the Council.
The Council discussed allocating funds for use to match grant funds raised by Athletic Park user
groups wishing to construct new amenities, and also reviewing infrastructure requests from user
groups with the Parks Committee, then recommendations for funding can be made for the 2027
budget. There was discussion regarding purchase of vacant property at Highway 62 and
Railroad Street for a transit hub, and staff was directed to contact the property owners to explore
options to purchase at a later date.
Town Council Budget Workshop
and Special Meeting
October 4, 2025
Page Three
The Town Manager presented an updated 2025 Strategic Plan, and reviewed items from the
meeting which would be included in the 2026 document.
The Manager explained staff will be expanding $9,000 this year to test Perma-Dyne on a portion
of a street, to determine if the product works better than magnesium chloride for dust control.
The meeting adjourned at 3:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pam Kraft, MMC
Town Clerk