Despite a projected $265 per pupil funding increase next year, the 2015-16 budget for Montezuma-Cortez Re-1 schools is again forecast to be underfunded at the state level.<\/p>\n
Determined by School Finance Bill SB15-267, total state funding for next year\u2019s projected budget is set at more than $18.9 million, said Re-1 finance director Wendy Everett. At full funding, the district should receive an additional $2.6 million, which was cut by state legislators because of the negative factor, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFull funding for Montezuma Cortez is $21,578,895,\u201d said Everett.<\/p>\n
The proposed budget, released on May 19, projects more than $18.2 million in general fund expenditures next year, an increase of 6.3 percent, or $1,078,926, over the current fiscal year. Forecast at more than $48 million, total appropriations for 2015-16 include more than $12.3 million for capital projects, $3.4 million for risk-related activities and more than $1.4 million for bond redemption funding. District officials are scheduled to formally adopt the proposed budget on June 30.<\/p>\n
The Cortez Journal requested a budget interview with Everett on June 2. Everett canceled a scheduled June 5 meeting because of illness. The Journal subsequently agreed to email budget questions to Everett. She replied on Friday, June 12, just before 5 p.m.<\/p>\n
In examining the proposed budget, the Journal identified at least two mathematical errors. On Page 5 of the 63-page document, for example, total actual audited expenditures for fiscal year 2013\/14 was listed at $16,764,825. Journal calculations reveal the line item totaled $16,714,825, a difference of $50,000.<\/p>\n
Everett said the financial document was a proposed budget, subject to change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe important numbers are the actual audited as this paints the picture of actual expenditures,\u201d said Everett. \u201cA budget is an estimation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Property taxes<\/p>\n
According to budget forecasts, property tax collections are projected to increase for the Re-1 district, rising from $11.2 million to $11.9 million, or by 5.7 percent, over last year\u2019s amount. Everett deferred to the Montezuma County Tax Assessor\u2019s Office for an explanation.<\/p>\n
Financial transparency<\/p>\n
Omitting employee wages and benefits, each school across the district is forecast to see slight increases in budgetary spending over last year. Everett attributed the upward ticks to new state transparency accounting guidelines. She said prior expenses for custodians, health services along with curriculum and technology support, for example, had all been reallocated to respective school sites.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe services at each school will remain the same,\u201d said Everett.<\/p>\n
\u201cDue to these changes it is misleading to compare prior budget years to this year,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Utility costs<\/p>\n
Despite proactive steps by students and staff to reduce the district\u2019s energy cost by nearly a quarter in recent years, the proposed budget calls for an almost 11 percent increase in utility costs next year.<\/p>\n
Kinder Morgan dispute<\/p>\n
Despite a recent court ruling against Kinder Morgan in a county tax dispute, which effectively keeps the district from returning some $1 million to county coffers, Everett said the court\u2019s decision wouldn\u2019t impact next year\u2019s budget.<\/p>\n
Civil penalties<\/p>\n
Also asked to comment on a new law that enables civil action against school districts in cases of school violence and its possible budgetary impacts, Everett said the district hadn\u2019t been informed of any insurance rate increases.<\/p>\n
To view the entire budget proposal, visit bit.ly\/2015-16budget.<\/p>\n