Mancos Town Board members to a look at the quarterly business report April 22 and were pleasantly surprised.
Sales taxes for January, February and March in Mancos were higher than they've been in three years. Sales taxes in January this year totaled 31,664. For the same month in 2014, that number was $27,939. In 2013, that number was $24,827.
"We are actually looking pretty good," Town Administrator Andrea Phillips said.
With the addition of retail marijuana stores in Mancos, the town is also generating a $2 per transaction fee, which was reported to the board last Wednesday night.
"The transaction fee for marijuana has been incredibly successful," said Heather Alvarez, Mancos clerk and treasurer.
In the first three months of the year, the town collected $4,000. That means that retail marijuana has seen 2,000 transactions in Mancos. That report did not include The Bud Farm, which opened for retail a few weeks ago and will also be subject to the transaction fee.
Also Wednesday, Chip Tuthill addressed the board and demanded that Western Excelsior make changes to its mitigation plan.
"They need to stop transferring waste materials with bucket loaders," Tuthill said.
Phillips told Tuthill that she plans on having Western Excelsior at the board meeting on May 13, in addition to Montezuma County representatives to discuss airborne particulate matter.
Mancos Town Marshal John Cox announced the hiring of new Deputy Marshal Jason Spruell, who was expected to start on April 27. Spruell has 16 years of experience and is coming to Mancos from the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office.
Economic success
Phillips told the board that the Economic Summit was a great success
"I think it generated a lot of excitement around economic development," she said.
Trustee Will Stone said he was upset that the town hired a facilitator for the event.
"I had hoped we would have Chelsea and yourself in that position," Stone said.
Animals in town
Phillips and the board discussed how to get wider feedback on livestock in town.
The board decided to have open public forums May 7 and 12.
"This is a way for anyone to show up and give their thoughts on the issue," Phillips said.
Phillips said she will also send out 400 random surveys to get a good sample with a goal of getting 200 back at a cost of about $200.
"I can't get a true random sampling any other way," Phillips said.
Stone, who said he will excuse himself from voting on the subject because he has a steer in town, was pleased.
"I am glad you are going to the trouble of seeing what the whole town wants, even if it doesn't go my way," he said.
Accessory dwelling units
For a short time, the Town Board discussed whether or not to allow accessory dwelling units in Mancos. Right now the town code does not allow any accessory dwelling unit, often called mother-in-law units.
Planning and zoning chairwoman Cindy Simpson said she wasn't sure if the town had the infrastructure in place to allow accessory dwelling units.
"You could easily double your population with this," Simpson said.
In the end, the board decided to hold off on addressing the issue for their retreat.
"Parking is a huge thing," Simpson said. "We are already having the agriculture vs. town clash. There have been so many changes, it might just be time to take a breath."
Updates
Phillips told the board that the RV park is moving forward and construction is expected to start this summer.
Town board members said they would attend a May 4 Montezuma County Commissioners meeting, during which the gravel pits will be discussed.
The leak detection crew is expected to begin in May.
The town of Mancos now takes credit cards. People stared taking advantage of this service right away. You can pay utility bills, citations and building permits online.