Yuma County Considers Half Cent Sales Tax for Roads
County officials discussed a proposal for a countywide half cent sales tax to fund roads and transportation at a joint work session on November 19, 2025, with staff estimating the levy would generate just under $22 million annually. The proposal matters because it would create a dedicated funding stream for regional and local projects, but key choices about distribution formulas, a proposed 20 year sunset, and whether to place the measure before voters remain unresolved.
Deputy County Administrator Josh Scott presented a proposal for a countywide half cent sales tax dedicated to roads and transportation during a joint work session of the Yuma County Board of Supervisors and the San Luis City Council on November 19, 2025. County staff estimated the proposed rate would produce just under $22 million per year across Yuma County. The presentation framed the levy as a locally available option under state statute, noting that officials can consider different local rates within legal limits.
Staff outlined a distribution model that would guarantee a minimum annual payment to the Town of Wellton of $400,000, with the remainder of proceeds allocated by population. The recommended structure also included a 20 year sunset, a provision staff suggested to balance long term planning with accountability. The discussion was presented as preliminary, with staff emphasizing that the outline was intended to inform further analysis and stakeholder engagement rather than to commit the county to a ballot measure.
The proposal matters to residents because it would create a dedicated and predictable revenue source for repairs and upgrades to roads and other transportation infrastructure countywide, including in South County and small jurisdictions that have limited local revenue options. For towns such as Wellton, the proposed guaranteed minimum payment would provide a known funding floor for local maintenance and projects. For the county as a whole, an annual stream approaching $22 million would change budget planning and could accelerate capital work that local general funds have not been able to support.
Significant political and policy decisions remain. Officials must settle distribution formulas, decide whether to include a sunset, and determine whether to place the measure on the ballot for voter approval. State statute allows local sales tax options up to certain limits in some circumstances, so the board will need to weigh legal parameters alongside equity concerns for smaller communities and the largest population centers.
Next steps identified during the work session include drafting ballot language, conducting local stakeholder outreach, and formal action by the Board of Supervisors if the county elects to pursue a public vote. The summary of the session is drawn from the recorded meeting and staff presentation. As county leaders consider whether to advance a ballot measure, decisions made now will shape how transportation projects are funded and prioritized across Yuma County for years to come.
