Meeker trustees approve budget

MEEKER I Meeker trustees approved the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022 during their regular meeting Tuesday, Oct, 5. Major line items under “systems development” in the general fund total just under $1.9 million, and include $250K for phase two of Circle Park, as well as money to construct sidewalks on School Street, and on Fifth/Market streets to Circle Park.

The Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Program are also ongoing funding items under “systems development.” 

Water fund projects and improvements planned in 2022 total $855,040 and include a software upgrade at the water loadout and a water line replacement on Garfield between Third and School streets. Town Clerk Lisa Cook noted that the water line replacement cost ($566,040) will be offset by American Rescue Plan funds.

Departmental budget items include 2% raises for cost of living and a 2% increase in health insurance costs, salary adjustments for employees, and $47,500 toward a new “community development” staff position.

A public hearing for final adoption of the budget is set for Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. 

MORE CIRCLE PARK

Town board members and staff also met with ERBM Director Sean VonRoenn to discuss the second phase of improvements at Circle Park. Based on an estimate from 2020, VonRoenn said the total for phase two of the project is about $1.2 million and includes modifications to a stretch of river both in-stream and along the bank, additional pathways and river access points, vegetation, new parking spots and more.

The Town of Meeker and ERBM’s Board of Directors have each budgeted $250,000 towards the project and are working in collaboration to pursue additional grant funding.

With a goal of starting construction later next summer, both Town and Rec District boards/staff are on a tight schedule to draft grant proposals. With a funding gap of at least $700K, Town Administrator Mandi Etheridge noted that the project isn’t feasible without grant funding.

Collaborative efforts will focus on one smaller grant proposal with the Colorado Department of Natural Resources for about $150-200K, and another grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) for about $600K.

Before any grant applications go out, the groups must begin the Army Corps of Engineers permitting process which starts with wetlands delineation/aquatic resources inventory. The proposed cost for said work is $7,000. Trustees budgeted around $13K in the 2021 budget year to contribute towards engineering/study work on the overall project, but that work has not taken place yet. VonRoenn noted more substantial engineering work will be necessary in future stages of the permitting process.

Meeker Trustee Chris Lockwood questioned if the proposed cost could increase after engineering work is completed, stating “what if hydrology dictates it will cost significantly more?” Various trustees shared concerns over ballooning costs, noting how both entities won’t be able to renege on completion of the project once construction is underway. Trustee Travis Day suggested drafting a Memorandum of Understanding between entities to clearly define who is responsible for managing the project day-to-day, who the fiscal agent will be, and other minutiae. In addition to drafting the proposed MOU for consideration as a future business item, Etheridge suggested establishing a subcommittee of board members and staff from both groups to oversee details of the project moving forward.

Noting how phase one of Circle Park improvements exceeded the proposed budget, Day said he’s not comfortable with the recreation district managing phase two, and suggested someone with construction experience be appointed to manage the project. Other board members agreed it would be smart to hire an outside consultant for the task.

Meeker Trustees and ERBM Directors will have a joint agenda item to finalize the proposed MOU on Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. You can review proposed details of phase two of the circle park project at erbmrec.com/circleparkphase2