Town could see ballot issue if talks with mine company come together

Council to look at full proposal September 6

By Mark Reaman

Negotiations between the town of Crested Butte and the Mount Emmons Mining Company (MEMCO) and Freeport-McMoRan seek to forge a path to eliminate the future potential of a molybdenum mine on Red Lady. That path could lead to a ballot measure before town voters this fall, though the details are not yet public.

At a special meeting on Monday, August 29, the Town Council voted to let the Gunnison County clerk know the town might include a bond issue on the upcoming November election ballot. It was made clear the issue would not raise taxes on citizens but would be tied to the real estate transfer tax (RETT) budget.

While not going into any detail at the Monday meeting, the council passed a resolution authorizing the town manager to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Gunnison County clerk and recorder. A memo to the council explained that the IGA allows the town to work with the county on a potential ballot measure in the upcoming fall election.

Town attorney John Belkin said under state statute, any ballot language has to be set by September 9. By passing the resolution, the council basically reserved a spot on the ballot. The council can review specific ballot language at its September 6 council meeting. If no agreement with MEMCO and Freeport is reached before the meeting, there will be no ballot initiative necessary.

“We all want to continue to work toward a permanent divestment of the mining claims on Mt. Emmons,” explained Belkin. “We are discussing a number of things with Freeport and the company attorneys. Part of that discussion could result in having an issue come to the voters.

“This is an incremental step in that direction,” Belkin continued. “It is essentially agreeing to hold a bookmark for the November 8 election.”

The memo to the council stated, “The ballot measure would be for a bond issue using the land transfer excise tax as the pledge for repayment of the bond. There is no increase in tax being contemplated.”

If an agreement is reached with Freeport before next Tuesday, details of the plan will be revealed in the ballot language.