CMC board certifies mill levy resulting in $22 million in savings for taxpayers, appoints two new trustee positions

Dec. 13, 2024

The Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees met at CMC’s Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs for a regularly scheduled board meeting Dec. 10 and 11.

During the meeting, trustees certified the 2024 mill levy, which will be paid by property owners in 2025. As committed last spring, the board ensured that revenue from property taxes would increase by no more than the rate of inflation (4%), shielding taxpayers from the extreme valuation spikes of the 2023 reassessment cycle. This reduction results in a savings of $22 million for property owners in CMC’s district.

After years of considering expanding the board’s size from seven to nine members to ensure broader representation, trustees appointed two new members. Trustees appointed Beth Helmke, Chaffee County deputy county administrator, and Magda King, general manager of Antlers at Vail.

“Expanding the board’s size is an intentional effort to ensure broader representation of the taxpayers from our mountain communities, and we were particularly interested in individuals who reside in and represent Salida and western Eagle County given CMC’s student and community demographics and current composition of the board,” said CMC Board President Chris Romer. “We’re thrilled that Beth and Magda have accepted this important responsibility and are confident that they will bring new perspectives to the college’s governing body.”

The new positions are at-large, meaning they represent the entire district, rather than specific geographic areas. Helmke and King will serve until November 2025, when they will stand for re-election.

Trustees also heard from a representative from the college’s auditor, CliftonLarsonAllen, who shared that the college once again has a clean audit.

Also, trustees unanimously approved:

  • Updates to board policies
  • Board committee assignments
  • Q4 FY 2023-24 financials
  • The annual cybersecurity report
  • Resolution and appropriation of reserve funds

Posted in
Published: December 13, 2024