This week's headlines

The Cedaredge Town Board adopted its 2013 budget at its regular December meeting. The budget for Cedaredge is balanced, but spending from reserves will be required in five of the six budget funds to achieve that balance.

The Cedaredge town budget for 2013 will be a $5.12 million document that allocates 55 percent of its resources to capital spending projects of one kind or another, according to Town Administrator Katie Sickles. Total salaries in the town's 2013 budget (i.e. "total labor") are budgeted at $1.44 million.

The budget abstract projects revenues of $4.77 million against the higher expenditure figure of $5.12 million.
Spending from reserves projected in the 2013 document is as follows: general fund ($299,770); water fund ($76,212); sewer fund ($7,933); golf course ($6,878); and, trust fund (state Lottery) ($29,058). The capital improvement fund projects a surplus of $67,058.

According to a budget analysis prepared by town hall, total 2013 spending from reserves in the five funds requiring spending from reserves is ($352,792). All six budget funds are projected to retain overall cash reserves at the end of the year. Total fund reserves ending 2013 are projected to be $1.16 million.

Some of the projected spending in the town's 2013 budget is contingent on receiving grant funds. If those grants are not approved, the spending will not occur.

Town government department heads made brief presentations to the trustees on proposed spending plans for 2013 during the Cedaredge Town Board's public hearing on next year's budget. The meeting took place on Nov. 29. Among the budget details addressed were the following ones:

• Police department spending will be $25,000 less in 2013, reported the chief. The police department budget for 2013 is $489,350. The department is budgeting for replacement of its radar units in coming years.

• Expenses at the golf course were trimmed 10 percent in 2012, reported golf pro Larry Murphy. The town's cash contribution to golf next year will be $15,000, down from $44,000 in 2012, Murphy said.

Some income items in the golf course fund posted increases during 2012, Murphy reported. Total golf revenue was up 3.5 percent in 2012, he added.

• The water fund projects purchase and installation of 35 new water meters to improve metering and billing at a total cost of $7,000. Installation of a pump for watering Town Park is also projected, said Dave Smith, public works director.

• Two revenue items seen by many as an indicator of the local economy are the projected mineral severance tax receipts and federal mineral leasing fees.

The town's 2013 budget projects income from the state mineral severance tax to decline by 50 percent based on state estimates. Federal mineral leasing dollars coming into the town are projected to remain flat at 2012 levels, according to the town administrator.

• The town administrator's budget statement includes a note that, "$215,000 for purchase of civic center property, using reserves as set aside and assuming a lease purchase for the remaining balance."

• The town's largest revenue source is from user fees, including sewer and water charges. They comprise 29 percent of town revenue. Loans account for 23 percent, and grants for 13 percent of projected 2013 revenue, according to the budget abstract.

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