The Yuma community is going to have a new swimming pool.
Unofficial results from the November 4 mail-in election shows 59 percent of 799 votes were in favor, 471-328. A temporary 0.75-percent sales tax will go into effect on January 1, 2026, to fund constructing, equipping and operating a new swimming pool. It is anticipated the sales tax will sunset January 1, 2042.
If all goes as planned, the pool likely will be ready for swimmers in the early summer of 2027. It will be located at the current pool spot at Cool Acres (formerly Yuma City Park).
The city’s other ballot question, asking to amend the City Charter to change the authority and supervision of the police chief and Yuma Police Department from the council to the city manager was soundly defeated, unofficially, by nearly 69 percent of the voters, 241-523.
It was a close race for the three Yuma City Council seats. Mike Aagesen was the leader as of late Tuesday night with 542 votes. Nathan O’Neal was second with 475, and Michael Fitzsimmons third with 461. Jerry Thompson was not far behind with 440, and Jeff Denney had 163.
Aagesen was critically injured in a motorcycle accident Sunday, so when, and if, he serves on the council is unknown at the moment.
Tim McClung cruised to another term as mayor, receiving 467 votes compared to 283 for challenger Ryan Saffer as of late Tuesday night.
Yuma School District-1 had a board of education election despite having three candidates for three seats up for election. Incumbent John Deering was the top-getter with 1,040 votes as of late Tuesday. Ronella Noble received 925 votes and Jeff M. Ovalle 819. Those two will be new to the board.
Wray School District RD-2 had three candidates for two seats. Maggie Bowman led with 716 votes, and Jeffrey Wingfield was second with 671.
The state of Colorado’s ballot questions, Proposition LL and Proposition MM, were both defeated handily in Yuma County. However, it was passed statewide, meaning funding free school meals for all students will continue in Colorado.
Countywide, voter turnout was 45.5 percent.