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Kremmling Board of Trustees discusses the town’s 2009 proposed budget

KATIE LOOBY
klooby@grandcountynews.com
Grand County, Colorado

The Kremmling Board of Trustees on Monday discussed the town’s proposed 2009 budget, which could be approved at the next meeting, Nov. 19.

The town’s overall preliminary budget is $1.34 million. Part of that will be distributed as follows: The police department will receive nearly $344,000; highways and streets, $372,000; administration, $200,000; parks, $69,000; and $200,000 will be transferred to the grant fund, according to town documents.

The town expects to receive $1.14 million in revenues. The $734,000 from general sales tax and about $140,000 from property tax are the two leading revenue sources, documents show.



Water is the municipality’s priority in the proposed budget, Kremmling Town Manager Ted Soltis said.

“The bulk of our money we’re setting aside for water-type issues,” he said.



Soltis estimates that more than 20,000 feet of pipeline in Kremmling has exceeded its life expectancy, and the town hopes to replace these lines within the next two years.

This would cost about $4 million, but may cost the town itself only $1 million.

Soltis will apply for a $2 million Department of Local Affairs grant in 2009, which requires $500,000 in matching funds from the town. The town would then apply for same type of grant again in 2010. For every $1 the town invests in this system, the state awards $3, he said.

“Our infrastructure is important,” Kremmling Public Works Director Doug Moses added later in the meeting. “We really do need to keep spending money on it.”

Town employees will receive a 3.5 percent cost of living wage increase, Soltis said. They used to receive funding for vision, and the board approved adding it back into the budget. Vision could be available as soon as January 2009.

The preliminary budget also includes these funds:

Water enterprise fund

About $835,000 is budgeted in the water enterprise fund, documents state.

Of that, $334,000 would pay for administration; $11,000 for water plant pump repair and replacement; and $45,000 for reservoir repair. In addition, $300,000 would be transferred to the grant fund for water line repair and replacement.

Documents also state that the town will apply for a $1.5 million Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Energy and Mineral Impact Grant.

“We’re pretty hopeful that our needs are so dire that they will award the funds,” Soltis said.

Grant Fund

About $2 million is budgeted for water leak repair and replacement, according to town documents.

General fund

Several agencies requested funds from the Town of Kremmling with the combined total of about $104,000.

The town plans to award $6,000 to the Kremmling Fire Department for fireworks. Kremmling Chamber of Commerce will receive $25,000, which includes $3,000 for Kremmling Day Sponsorship and $380 for Fourth of July portable potties. These donations for 2009 total about $31,000.

“We need the money to take care of our water lines right now,” Soltis said, as to why many requests from other agencies were denied.

The town has also budgeted $1,400 for a new computer; and $35,000 for a new public works vehicle. About $67,500 will pay for street repair, and $200,000 will be transferred to the grant fund for matching funds for the $2 million grant.

Solid Waste Fund

About $205,000 is budgeted for the solid waste fund, documents show.

The town has contracted its solid waste fund since Aug. 1, 2005, and the contract goes until 2010. The current rates do not cover the total cost of solid waste collection, but there are enough funds in reserves to cover additional costs. A 3.5 percent increase is budgeted to cover the contractor’s additional costs. However, rates will need to be increased in 2010, documents said.

Conservation Trust Fund

About $15,000 will be transferred from the conservation trust fund to the general fund to go toward maintenance and improvements to the town parks.

Recreation Fund

Approximately $4,579 is budgeted for the recreation fund.

” Katie Looby covers government and education for the Sky-Hi Daily News. You may reach her at 887-3334 ext. 19601 or klooby@grandcountynews.com.


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