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Updated July 16, 2025

Montrose County Commissioners Pass Public Safety Sales Tax Resolution in 2-1 Vote

Montrose, CO – July 16, 2025 – The Montrose County Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 on Wednesday to pass a Resolution establishing new administrative and accounting protocols for the Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) Fund. Commissioner Sue Hanson cast the sole dissenting vote, citing concerns over implementation details.

The resolution formalizes the management of the 0.75% Public Safety Sales Tax, approved by voters in November 2007 through Ballot Initiative 1B to enhance law enforcement and public safety services. The measure mandates that 70% of PSST revenues go directly to the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, with the remaining 30% allocated to the county for other voter-approved public safety purposes, such as regional dispatch services, drug task force operations, rural medical services, and support for the District Attorney’s Office, Judicial District, and Coroner’s Office.

Key Provisions of the Resolution

To address public confusion over fund allocation and spending, the resolution introduces several measures to improve transparency and accountability:

• Dedicated PSST Fund: A separate Public Safety Sales Tax Fund will be established, distinct from the County General Fund, with no commingling of funds permitted.
• Revenue Allocation: The Sheriff’s Office will receive 70% of gross PSST revenues monthly, with no deductions for administrative costs. The county will retain 30% in a separately tracked account for other public safety initiatives.
• Sheriff’s Budget Structure: The Sheriff’s Office will maintain two distinct budgets—one funded by the General Fund and another exclusively from PSST revenues, dedicated to uniformed personnel.
• Citizen Oversight Committee: A four-member volunteer committee, with two members appointed by the Sheriff and two by the Commissioners, will review PSST revenues and expenditures quarterly, producing public summaries to ensure transparency.
• Public Reporting: The county will publish monthly PSST financial reports on its website, detailing total revenues, distributions, and expenditures.
• Reserve Protocol: Unspent PSST funds will roll over annually into a dedicated reserve account, prohibited from reverting to the General Fund.
• Voter Protection: The PSST Fund’s structure cannot be altered without voter approval, ensuring its permanence as a public safety enhancement.

Implementation Timeline

The resolution takes effect immediately but allows a transition period for the Montrose County Finance Department and Sheriff’s Office to align accounting practices and budgets. Full compliance is required by January 1, 2026.

Debate and Dissent

Commissioner Sue Hanson, the lone dissenter, expressed concerns about the feasibility of the implementation timeline and the potential administrative burden on the Finance Department. However, supporters argued that the resolution fulfills the 2007 ballot initiative’s intent while addressing public demands for clearer financial oversight.



“This resolution ensures that every dollar of the Public Safety Sales Tax is used as voters intended,” said a county spokesperson. “It prioritizes transparency and accountability while preserving the Sheriff’s operational independence.”

Community Impact

The resolution aims to build public trust by making PSST spending more visible and ensuring funds enhance, rather than replace, existing public safety budgets. The Sheriff’s Office is expected to use its PSST allocation to bolster uniformed personnel, while the county’s share will support critical services like regional dispatch and rural medical support. Residents can access monthly financial reports on the county’s website and provide feedback through the Citizen Oversight Committee, which will hold its first meeting in early 2026.

For more information, visit the Montrose County website or contact the County Finance Department.