Council approves amended ‘17 budget

By Chelsea McNerney-Martinez
MONTE VISTA- Monte Vista City Council met last Thursday, June 7. Council heard many positive updates, approved 2017 budget amendments before the audit and reviewed the 2017 year-end financials.
Shane Burris from Burris and Sons Bucking Bulls presented a certificate of appreciation to the City of Monte Vista and specifically Recreation Director Jaime Hurtado for the use of Ski Hi arena and the assistance of the recreation department and public works department for the annual Jason McClain Bull Riding School and the Spring in the Valley Rodeo Series.
“We’re proud to also say on the final day of the Spring in the Valley Rodeo we raised over $300 for the Monte Vista Kids Connection,” with Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman riding a bull and donating $100 which was matched by Monte Vista Mayor Dale Becker and Burris and Sons Bucking Bulls. Becker, who was recovering from a shoulder surgery, joked the real reason he didn’t ride a bull with Coleman was because Burris “didn’t have a bull mean enough for me.” Burris noted the benefits of rodeo for the youth participants; “Anything they can learn in rodeo will help them in whatever they go on to do.”
Esther Morford, Elizabeth Shank and Margot Alexander presented on behalf of Neighborhood Watch, explaining their efforts to sell t-shirts as a fundraiser, with Morford modeling the design of the shirt for attendees. The shirt includes an eye in the center of a square of homes, to demonstrate how crime prevention begins at home.
Councilor Kathleen Ellithorpe presented a citizen’s comment on behalf of John Camponeschi, who was unable to attend. Camponeschi had brought illegal dumping in the alley west of Morris St., mainly yard debris, sod, weeds and branches, to the city’s attention on June 5. Ellithorpe noted on June 6 the public works department showed up with equipment and loaders to clean up the illegal dump site and she shared hers and Camponeschi’s deep thanks for their swift and thorough action, thanking the department and Public Works Director Rob Vance and City Manager Forrest Neuerburg for making it happen. Neuerburg in his staff report also credited Lowell Bolt in the public works department for finding a window in their schedule for the cleanup before other projects would dominate their time.

Budget info
Council passed resolution 07-2018, “a resolution approving an amended budget and appropriation of funds for the calendar year 2017 to amend the Kids Connection fund and authorize expenditures and revenues for the airport grant fund, GOCO grant fund and Vali 3 fund.” Neuerburg explained there were alterations in the 2017 budget during the year, including receiving grants in the airport fund and GOCO grants for the Faith Hinkley Veterans Memorial Park. The city also assumed the financial operations of the theater in the middle of 2017, which did not require any more city general funds but added revenues and expenses to the budget. Also, the city transferred $15,000 to the Kids Connection to cover unanticipated expenses and an anticipated grant revenue shortfall. Neuerburg explained Debbie Phillips has been handling some of the city’s finances on an interim basis and found these items needed council approval before the annual audit begins later this month. Neuerburg stated the city has hired a new finance director who will be introduced to council soon.
Council released an annual $2,000 line item to Tri County Senior Citizens to cover vehicle insurance for trips taken by the seniors.
Neuerburg also discussed the yearend financial status for the 2017 fiscal year, which he explained will be submitted to the state at the end of July, following the city financial audit. Forrest explained a memo issued by Phillips, showing positive news for the city budget. “Total revenues in the General Fund are at 99 percent of the approved budget or $3,127,221.”
Neuerburg also reported the expenditures are at 94 percent of what was budgeted with the only notable bad news being the total 2017 election expense of $13,000. He explained the city budgets $8,000 a year to anticipate predicted elections and potential ballot questions generated by citizen petitions. Due to the large expense from the 2017 election, $8,000 will come from the 2017 budget and the remaining costs will come from the 2018 election allotment. Other highlights in Phillips’ memo included “As of month end, the General Fund’s portion of cash in the main checking account is $161,236, an increase of 569 percent from Dec. 31, 2016. This cash amount is below recommended levels. We are continuing efforts to reduce spending in order to increase cash balance reserves. Total unrestricted cash assets year to date total $295,258. In the General Fund revenues exceeded expenditures by $146,357, increasing the fund balance to $607,191.”
See next week’s Monte Vista Journal for staff and council reports.


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