Hotchkiss council gives okay to 2013 budget

The Hotchkiss Town Council adopted the 2013 budget on Dec. 13. The 2013 mill levy will be 6.240 mills. That will equal $61,839 in property taxes. Before TABOR, the mill levy in Hotchkiss was 10.620.

With TABOR, the mill levy is reduced by 4.020 mills which represents $39,838. If TABOR was not the law, the Town of Hotchkiss would receive $101,677 in property taxes rather than the $61,839.

The final ordinance approved was to adopt appropriations as an emergency. The ordinance to adopt the 2013 budget takes 30 days after publication to become law. This emergency ordinance allows town hall to do business and pay bills as of Jan. 1.

The town council also approved a resolution to transfer funds in January because of reaching the maximum FDIC level.

Town staff and trustees received year end bonuses. Each staff member received a $200 City Market gift card and each trustee a $50 gift card.

The 2013 budget shows general fund revenue estimated at $749,944 and total available revenue at $1,975,803. Some of the estimated revenue for 2013 includes $210,000 in city sales tax, $28,000 in DMEA franchise tax, $8,500 in natural gas franchise tax, $6,000 in TDS TeleCommunications franchise tax, $29,000 in highway users tax, $11,000 in severance tax and $40,000 in mineral leasing. General fund expenses are estimated at $231,198.

The police department fund shows 2013 expenses totaling $234,265 with $151,265 of that for officer and judge salaries.

Public works shows $169,028 in salaries and wages for 2013. It includes $5,000 for snow removal and $3,000 for mosquito spraying. Total department expenses are estimated at $321,102.

The water fund is expecting $320,000 in water fees next year, $55,000 in Rogers Mesa fees and $1,200 in tap fees. The water plant project loan will be $373,000 and the water plant project grant $62,500. The fund will receive $19,180 from the Rogers Mesa project loan payment and $1,800 from the DMEA Hydro Electric project. The town will receive $307,248 for the CWRPDA-HHS waterline. Total fund revenues are estimated at $1,157,628. Expenses are estimated at $1,002,420 for an ending fund balance of $676,972.

The sanitation fund is expecting $207,000 next year in sewer fees. Total revenue is estimated to be $211,420 and $231,223 in expenses. With the total available revenue at $576,924, the ending fund balance is estimated at $345,701.

The garbage fund is expecting $100,000 in fees in 2013 with expenses totaling $98,500 for an ending fund balance of $3,217.

The Conservation Trust Fund shows $4,500 from intergovernmental revenues and $6,058 from a general fund transfer. Total revenues and expenses balance out at $10,558.

The capital improvements fund is expecting $210,000 from the one percent city sales tax, $20,613 in property taxes and $329,000 in CDOT Path and Trails Funding. Total fund revenues are expected to be $560,313 with a total available fund revenue of $780,936. Expenses are expected to be $650,898 for an ending fund balance of $130,038.

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