HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Budget Study Session 2002-10-17 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 17, 2002
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD BUDGET STUDY
SESSION of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting
held in the Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 17th day of
October, 2002.
Town Board: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Barker, Doylen, Gillette, Habecker,
Jeffrey-Clark, Newsom
Attending: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Barker, Doylen, Gillette, Jeffrey-
Clark, Newsom
Also Attending: Town Administrator Widmer, Assistant Town Administrator
Repola, Finance Officer Brandjord, Town Clerk O’Connor,
Directors Kilsdonk, Linnane and Matzke, and Water Supt.
Goehring
Absent: Trustee Habecker
Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.
PRESENTATION OF YEAR 2003-2004 ENTERPRISE FUNDS AND ALL OTHER
FUNDS.
Town Administrator Widmer stated that the Light and Power Enterprise Fund is a work
in progress and should be reviewed as such.
Assistant Administrator Repola and Finance Officer Brandjord presented and reviewed
the following:
SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS:
Museum Transfer. Note: the Friends of the Library contribution is under
negotiation.
Conference Center.
Special Events. The Scottish Highland Festival request for funding have
been relocated to this fund from the Contingency Fund, and $15,000 has
been included to fund new legitimate events recommended by the
Community Development Committee. A more aggressive approach to
revenues has also been included in 2003 and 2004, and the establishment
of a marketing plan to identify users (including locals) is being discussed.
Senior Center. Clarified expenditures and Senior Center Advisory Board
funding. Staff is to verify Sr. Ctr. Board funding is included in
Revenues.
Conservation Trust Fund. SCADA, Phases III and IV.
Open Space Fund. Includes $50,000 in additional revenue in 2003 from
the Estes Valley Land Trust toward the Knoll/Willows Project. Staff is to
correct the ending fund balance totals on this slide.
Catastrophic Loss Fund. This fund was created to provide a reserve
account in the event of an unforeseen loss would occur; there are no
Town Board Budget Study Session – October 17, 2002 - Page 2
expenditures included in this fund.
Health Insurance Fund. Town Administrator Widmer reviewed the
history of this fund, distributing a spreadsheet from 1991-2002. As
verified, this fund has not kept pace with insurance claims. Based on the
Town’s Insurance Representative, EBS, an employee team was
established. EBS has been educating the Team, and the Team’s goal
and responsibility is to study alternatives on how to reduce the premium
increase and provide alternatives/recommendations. The Library and
Estes Park Sanitation District are part of the Town’s insurance group and
alternative options relate to these two entities and single and family
coverage. Additional information will be forthcoming. A Town Board
representative is requested to help monitor this process, and Mayor
Baudek agreed to serve in this capacity.
Vehicle Replacement Fund. Staff explained the methodology of this
new fund that began in 2002; vehicle purchases could most likely begin in
2005/2006.
Fleet Maintenance Fund. Pursuant to a survey of automobile repair
companies, an 18% labor rate increase is recommended in 2003. The
rates have not been increased in 11 years.
LIGHT & POWER.
The 2003 consumption is estimated to increase by 3.2%, and the 2003
revenue includes a 4.7% rate increase to recover the debt service for the
substation bonds.
Two staffing additions are proposed:
Groundman I - to begin the second quarter of 2003. Director
Matzke noted that the Dept. is required to provide a groundman
with a lineman. Due to the shortage of a groundman, an
unbalanced situation has been occurring. Additional safety and
efficiency issues were reviewed.
Customer Service Clerk (part-time) – this position is proposed
for the Finance Dept. to provide improved coverage on the
counter and telephone. Customer contact has increased and it
is difficult to provide adequate coverage during vacation, sick
leave, etc. Staff is to review listing direct dial telephone
numbers in the Town’s Newsletter, and the Government
Listing Section in the telephone books for a possible
reduction in switchboard activity.
Expenditures (personnel costs were explained), Operating Income, and
Operating Statement. In this preliminary document, it appears rates have
not kept pace with expenditures. PRPA is anticipating a 2004 rate
increase that will be passed-on to the Town’s customers and the Dept. is
proposing a rate increase in 2003. The Town last increased light and
power rates in 1990.
Capital. There is no net change in fleet size being proposed.
WATER FUND.
One staffing level is proposed for Backflow Prevention. The Safe Drinking
Water Act requires this position, and Director Linnane briefed the Trustees
on this Federal Law that will affect all residences.
Expenditures. Basic categories of expenses for this fund were shown.
Town Board Budget Study Session – October 17, 2002 - Page 3
MISCELLANEOUS.
Staff distributed additional information previously requested by the Board: (1) Total
number of employees/year (1990-2002 Estimate) and personnel statistic sheet
identifying fulltime and part-time levels, and (2) Community Services Funding
Application filed by Partners of Estes Park.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:38 p.m.
Vickie O’Connor, CMC, Town Clerk