Briefs Mt. Crested Butte

Sales tax continues to climb
Mt. Crested Butte collected 38 percent, or $14,103, more sales tax in April than had been budgeted, although the budget anticipated collections 3 percent below April last year. Town manager Joe Fitzpatrick told the council every sector of the town’s economy—lodging, restaurants, retail and other—all saw an increase over 2012’s actual sales.

Accounting for April collections, the town is 22 percent, or $153,000, above budget for the year, although a sizeable one-time tangible personal property tax collection made up part of that total.
“We are pleased to report growth in ‘business activity’ winter sales tax collections over 2012 and the summer season is poised to set yet another summer record,” Fitzpatrick said. Revenue budgeted for June through December remained the same as in 2012, so sales tax could continue to beat projections for the remainder of 2013.

Town holds out for voting member on TA board
Councilman David O’Reilly told the council the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association board of directors could continue to look a lot like it does now after the Gunnison Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and the city of Gunnison both expressed reservations about appointing an elected official to sit on the board as a voting member.
Of the meeting June 11, O’Reilly said, “I thought it was interesting in that the BOCC and Gunnison don’t want a voting member on the TA board,” although no reason was given.
The council agreed that voting status is something they will continue pursuing, starting with a letter to the TA stating their position.

Council appoints two to DDA board
The Town Council re-appointed Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s Michael Kraatz and Chip Christian to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) in a rare contested election for the open seats. A third candidate, Greg Chernushin, a second-home owner from the Colorado Springs area, jumped into the local political fray for the first time as a third candidate for one of the seats.
While members of the council appreciated Chernushin’s willingness to volunteer his time and be part of the process, they unanimously voted for Kraatz and Christian, citing Kraatz’s connection to the resort and Christian’s service to the DDA, which started in 1999. Both will serve a four-year term.