Dolores is in button-down mode for its 2016 budget.<\/p>\n
Taking care of critical infrastructure at the water and sewer plants is paramount, said treasurer Lana Hancock, and will be the focus in the coming year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is something that people don\u2019t see, unlike new sidewalks or a new trail, so they think nothing is happening in town. But water and sewer services are the foundation of our town and require upkeep,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The water-treatment plant needs an estimated $30,000 worth of upgrades, and the sewer facility pond needs to be cleaned of 20 years\u2019 worth of accumulated sludge, expected to cost $186,000. There will be no disruption of services as the upgrades are conducted next year.<\/p>\n
The town is applying for grants from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to cover half the costs of both projects. Awards will be announced in spring.<\/p>\n
The town board has contracted with Chris Burkett to write the grants. Grant-writer payment will be based upon a fee of 1-10 percent, negotiated by grant and determined by required work.<\/p>\n
Hancock said sewer and water rates are expected to increase for 2016 to cover rising maintenance costs.<\/p>\n
The two departments are enterprise funds, meaning they have to pay for themselves. The town\u2019s approach is to raise prices a little at a time to keep pace with costs rather than waiting and issuing a large increase all at once.<\/p>\n
In 2016, sewer plant revenues are expected to be $258,000; expenses, $362,458. In 2015, the sewer plant collected $195,746 with $193,541 in expenses.<\/p>\n
The water enterprise fund is estimated to bring in $236,812 for 2016, with expenses of $227,895.<\/p>\n
There have been no new water taps purchased for 2015. The water dock is expected to bring in $16,000 for 2016, same as last year. Water user fees are expected to be $207,162, down from $216,000 in 2015.<\/p>\n
Revenues collected for the general fund are expected to be $349,244 for 2016, with $381,532 in estimated expenses.<\/p>\n
The main estimated revenue generators are from property taxes ($82,190); sales tax ($159,500); Empire Electric franchise fees ($45,000); Atmos Energy franchise ($14,000); Comnet tower lease ($6,228); property leases ($9,800); business licenses ($4,600); lottery funds ($8,000); Building permits ($3,000); and court fines ($2,500).<\/p>\n
One highlight is the increase in leash law enforcement for dogs at large. The budget shows that dog rules were enforced more in 2015 bringing in $1,000 in fines, compared to zero fines in 2014.<\/p>\n
Regarding the street fund, Hancock said the reserve is being built up by $15,000 per year for the inevitable resurfacing of Central Avenue. She said the street can only be patched so many times before it needs a more long-term fix.<\/p>\n
Total 2016 estimated revenues for the street fund are at $231,741, with expenses estimated at $276,261. Mineral lease revenues are expected to go down from $62,801 in 2015 to $31,000 in 2016.<\/p>\n
Hancock said sales tax revenues for the town are \u201cholding steady.\u201d<\/p>\n
jmimiaga@the-journal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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