Dolores is in button-down mode for its 2016 budget.
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.
“It is something that people don’t 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,” she said.
The water-treatment plant needs an estimated $30,000 worth of upgrades, and the sewer facility pond needs to be cleaned of 20 years’ worth of accumulated sludge, expected to cost $186,000. There will be no disruption of services as the upgrades are conducted next year.
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.
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.
Hancock said sewer and water rates are expected to increase for 2016 to cover rising maintenance costs.
The two departments are enterprise funds, meaning they have to pay for themselves. The town’s 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.
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.
The water enterprise fund is estimated to bring in $236,812 for 2016, with expenses of $227,895.
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.
Revenues collected for the general fund are expected to be $349,244 for 2016, with $381,532 in estimated expenses.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Hancock said sales tax revenues for the town are “holding steady.”
jmimiaga@the-journal
