The Bluff Town Council held a work session on September 8, 2026, to address community concerns regarding road obstructions and to introduce the town's new Emergency Services Coordinator, according to a report published September 14.
During the public comment period, several residents expressed frustration regarding a road closure on Six West South from Larkspur, which occurred on September 3, 2026. Residents claimed the road is a Class C town road and argued that the obstruction creates significant liability for the town. Mayor Josh Ewing noted that the council is currently reviewing proposals for a new contract with a town attorney, clarifying that the current attorney is Chris McAnany from Grand Junction.
The council welcomed Nizhoni Begay as the new Emergency Services Coordinator. The council discussed core priorities for the position, including developing an official emergency alert plan, managing wildland urban interface fuel loads, supporting the volunteer fire department with training, and expanding community cleanup events.
The council reviewed several policy drafts and agreements:
Regarding employee benefits, the council discussed health insurance requirements for part-time employees and proposed structuring vacation leave based on hours worked rather than days. The council also discussed maternity and parental leave eligibility for full-time employees with at least 12 months of service.
To address housing, the town is preparing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a housing consultant. The council discussed adjusting the scoring matrix to increase the weight of cost to 25% or 30% to ensure bids remain within budget.
A proposed interlocal agreement would allow Bluff's Building Official to provide services to Monticello City for an annual fee of $10,000. The agreement would cover up to 24 visits and 66 hours of work per year.
The council also discussed a drafted vehicle use policy intended to reduce mileage reimbursements. Additionally, the council declined to enter an executive session regarding litigation, with Mayor Ewing stating that the legal requirements for imminent litigation could not be met in good faith at that time.
