Combining operations and upgrades, the Cortez Sanitation District has proposed spending more than $3.8 million in 2016.<\/p>\n
The proposed expenditures in the 2016 budget include $1,590,486 for operating expenses and $2,334,930 for repairs and upgrades. Board members face a December deadline to approve the proposed budget, which was released this week.<\/p>\n
With about 4,400 residential, governmental and commercial customers, the district projects to collect nearly $2.2 million in service fees next year. Total revenues in 2016 are forecast at just more than $3 million, revealing a projected budget deficit of slightly more than $800,000.<\/p>\n
The 2016 CSD budget outlines nearly $1.5 million in capital improvement projects. Those earmarks include $308,500 for plant equipment, $573,000 for heavy machinery and 375,000 for sewer line construction.<\/p>\n
After examining the proposed eight-page financial document, Cortez Sanitation District board president Ryan Griglak asked district management officials how the budget would be affected if consumption-based sewer rates returned.<\/p>\n
The district switched its commercial rates, based on 20-year-old national averages, in 2014.<\/p>\n
CSD manager Tim Krebs said the 2016 budget figures were forecast using its current rate structure, adding that no plans were in place to return rates based on consumption.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a whole separate meeting of questions to tackle that,\u201d Krebs said.<\/p>\n
CSD officials have vowed to re-examine consumption-based sewer fees once the city completes its upgrades to water meters. The first usage data is expected in January, Krebs said.<\/p>\n
In addition to securing municipal usage data, Krebs reminded board members that they would also need to weigh water used for irrigation as well as multifamily versus single-family usage.<\/p>\n
Griglak subsequently instructed Krebs to obtain an estimate from city officials to obtain water usage data for future discussion.<\/p>\n
CSD board members also were informed that the district\u2019s online billing system pay was available.<\/p>\n
Customers are required to pay a service fee charged by a third-party provider to use the Internet-based system.<\/p>\n
The service fee is 2.75 percent of the total bill, or $1.75 minimum. Customers that set up automatic drafts aren\u2019t charged service fees, an official said.<\/p>\n