Schmidt And Ladoulis In A Run-Off For Mayor Spot
For the first time in history of Crested Butte elections, there is going to be a run-off for the position of Town Mayor. Last week’s elections on November 7th was a close race with not one of the four candidates receiving 50% or more of the vote. The two candidates who received the most votes were Jim Schmidt with 331 votes and Chris Ladoulis close behind with 296 votes. Schmidt and Ladoulis will now face off in another election so watch your mail for new ballots.
In other election news, we have four new Town Council members. Jackson Petito lead the race with 23% or 604 votes. Chris Haver received a strong 432 votes while Kent Cowherd followed with 376 votes. Will Dujardin was close on his tail with 374 votes. The two-vote difference between Kent Cowherd and Will Dujardin resulted in the top three candidates receiving four year terms and Dujardin receiving a two year term.
There were two tax issues on the ballot for the north end of the valley, both of which passed. Issue 2A, a 5% excise tax on short-term vacation rentals in Crested Butte passed with an 81% to 19% margin receiving 605 votes for and only 142 against. It’s expected that approximately $300,000 will be raised annually through this excise tax, with the funds raised to be put toward affordable housing.
The other ballot issue, 5A, also passed by a wide margin. Only 552 people, about 33%, voted against the proposed mill levy increase while 1,127 voted in favor or supporting quality emergency services in our community.
The 2017 elections went very smooth said election official Diane Folowell. That brings us back to the unprecedented mayoral run-off election. Ballots will be mailed out to registered voters between November 27th and December 4th so watch your boxes and be sure to vote! Ballots will need to be returned to town hall no later than December 19th.
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