Recap: first week of county budget workshops

Editor’s Note: This is not a comprehensive list of the departments. Due to space constraints, we were only able to publish the first week of the budget workshops.

RBC | After more than two weeks of almost daily workshops, the county commissioners are ready to start making decisions about the county’s 2021 budget. In the workshops, department heads were able to share their requests — and concerns, in some cases — with the commissioners. Departments were asked to cut 5% from the average of their 2019 and 2020 budgets.

The county is facing a $2.3 million shortfall due primarily to reduced tax valuations from oil and gas, and it’s believed the 2021 cuts will only be the first of more to come.

BOCC

The commissioners started with their own department on Monday, Oct. 19. State statutes that require a pay increase for elected officials starting new terms kept the board from reaching the 5% cut. Commissioner Jeff Rector said he intends to donate back to the county his $8,324 increase in 2021. Commissioner Gary Moyer said he planned on giving back a minimum of 5% of his salary, and incoming county commissioner Ty Gates said he would also be willing to donate back the increase. With those cuts, plus a 40% decrease in fleet charges and additional cuts to the travel budget, as well as reducing dues paid for membership in the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, the commissioners should be able to meet the 5% reduction when the budget is finalized.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

Budget and Finance met the 5% decrease by “wiping out” travel and training, shifting required training to web-based. Other expenses include membership organizations necessary to the department, postage and publications (legal notices), and supplies. In personnel, Budget and Finance Director Janae Stanworth decreased her salary voluntarily, and cut a general ledger technician position by attrition. The accounting technician position for the Department of Human Services has been absorbed into the Budget and Finance department. The commissioners thanked Stanworth for her work on the budget.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

This is a new department consolidated from economic development and natural resources with a budget of $133,348 for 1.25 employees. The department will “serve as the coordinator for the Board of County Commissioners and the media contact for the commissioners and related departments,” as well as coordinating and representing the county in economic and natural resource policies, procedures and projects.

SALES AND USE TAX

The HT covered this department’s role for the county, both towns, and two additional sales tax districts and the proposed budget and personnel changes in detail in the Oct. 29 edition on Page 1A.

AIRPORTS

The Meeker Airport has a proposed budget of $82,662 and the Rangely Airport’s proposed budget is $74,889. Both airport budgets met the 5% cut requested.

COLUMBINE PARK

The Columbine Park proposed budget was reduced by more than the 5% asked. Director Eric Jaquez “slashed” purchased services and supplies.

ROAD AND BRIDGE

One of the county’s largest departments, Road and Bridge hit the 5% mark. “We worked hard on this,” said Director Dave Morlan. “For the services we provide we’re doing what we know has to be done where the public will see the least [impact].” One change the public can expect to see is a shift from a 5-year chip seal replacement plan to a 7-year plan.

SOLID WASTE LANDFILL

The landfill trimmed its budget from the estimated $618,275 for 2020 to a proposed $562,585.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY

As part of the 9th Judicial District, RBC pays 7.51% of the expenses of the District Attorney’s office (based on population). The proposed DA’s budget for 2021 is $263,784. The 2020 estimated budget is $264,732.

PLANNING/SURVEYOR

As director for the Planning Department Surveying and Technical Services — GIS/Mapping, Leif Joy is taking on additional tasks in writing a software program that should save the county about $17,000 a year. Commissioners also discussed ceasing payments to planning committee board members. The budget for those departments is about static.

BUILDING

The building department cut its budget in 2020 with Building Inspector Jeff Kummer’s departure. More services will be contracted out, according to the proposed budget for 2021. The “floating” administrative position is expected to split its time between building and public affairs, “to keep a face in the office” of the building department.

WHITE RIVER MUSEUM

The White River Museum and Heritage Culture Center receives an annual sum from the county. This year in response to the 5% budget cut request, the Museum cut its budget to $39,500.

COUNTY ATTORNEY

County Attorney Todd Starr voluntarily agreed to reduce his contracted monthly fee for the 2021 budget by 5%, and paralegal Vicky Edwards cut her time to 30 hours a week. The other 10 hours is directed toward the BOCC budget. Large litigation cases expected to come in 2021 could require funding pulled from contingency funds.