Greeley council signals end to 2026 tax ballot planning after poll shows weak support

Greeley City Council signaled Tuesday that it does not want staff to keep working on a possible November 2026 sales-tax ballot measure after new polling found no tested proposal had majority support. The work-session discussion followed a presentation on three options: a public safety tax increase, a homelessness-focused tax increase and a combined public health and safety measure.

Aspect Strategic Vice President Alex Dunn told council the city surveyed about 600 residents from late May into early June. Dunn said support ran at 47% for a 0.5% sales tax increase for public safety, with 50% opposed, and 45% for a 0.15% sales tax increase for homeless solutions, with 51% opposed. A combined proposal also drew what Dunn described as a slight majority in opposition.

Dunn said support had slipped from similar polling in 2025. He said public safety dropped 6 points from 53% to 47%, homeless solutions fell 6 points from 51% to 45%, and the combined public health and safety measure declined from 56% to 46%.

At the same time, Dunn said many residents still see a need for more funding in the areas being discussed. He said 54% of respondents believed homelessness programs need additional funding, 55% said the fire department needs more funding, and 37% said the police department does.

Dunn and Deputy Budget and Policy Director Kaylin Myers tied the weaker ballot support to residents' financial stress. Dunn said the share of respondents who reported difficulty making ends meet each month had nearly doubled from the prior year, and that those residents were the least supportive of the revenue proposals. Myers said, "there's no lack of understanding, I think, for the financial impact that we're under," but that none of the tax options reached majority support.

After the presentation, Ward III Council Member Johnny Olson asked whether there was any consensus to move forward with the ballot initiative or instead stop and let staff return to other work. Receiving no visible support for continuing, Olson said, "There's your answer." The discussion was listed as Item 24 on the council agenda.