HomeMy WebLinkAbout20102557.tiff Minutes
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
September 20, 2010
CD 9A2010
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the''Ald'Cdunty\
Home Rule Charter, Monday, September 20, 2010, 6:30 p.m. at the Weld County
Centennial Center, 915 10th Street, Greeley, CO.
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by President Perry Buck. Vice President
Don Mueller, Councilwoman Ginny Buczek and Councilman Charles Tucker were
present, constituting a quorum of the members. Councilman John Kivimaki was excused.
Also present was Don Warden, Gaye Florio and Karla Ford, Council Secretary.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilman Mueller made a motion to approve the
September 20, 2010 agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buczek and
carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilwoman Buczek made a motion to approve the
August 16, 2010 minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilman Tucker carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.
REVIEW PROGRAM:
Don Warden, Budget and Management Analysis, distributed a packet of information
regarding the 2011 Weld County proposed budget. He gave an overview of the economic
times for Weld County Government. In 2009, Weld County recognized there would be
approximately three years of hard times on the budget due to drop in housing and
commercial property values, drop in oil and gas prices and state budget problems. The
Weld County health care costs also continue to rise.
The State budget problems have affected the county as social service costs have been
cut. The allocations for administration, child welfare, TANF and a few other programs
have been limited. Approximately $4 million has been cut this year from child services
from the State. Weld County has had to cut $6 - $7 million in all county programs/services
to keep on budget. All departments were asked to cut a 2 1/2% priority and another
7 '/a% low priority in the budget. One exception is Human Services, due to the state
cutbacks to the county.
Revenues—the county knew there would be a drop in oil and gas and property tax.
Anticipating for 2012 budget, may see a drop again due to real estate. Oil and gas prices
have held up and production has gone up with the development up north. Encouraged
there will be a slight increase on property tax, but not relying on it. The rest of revenues
are flat.
Expenses —the county is going to spend less in 2011 than in 2010. Many departments
such as Public Works, Health, Public Safety, General Government, Road and Bridge,
Internal Services will all have lower expenses for the upcoming year. Paramedic Services
are flat. Currently looking at 10% increase in health costs for employees and budgeted
12%. Did not want employees to have a net pay decrease during this time. There is a
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big increase in Human Services due to lack of allocations from the state.
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Weld County Council Minutes •
September 20,2010
Page 2 of 4
Mr. Warden went over the seven year trends for Fund Balance, General Government,
Public Safety, Health and Welfare, District Attorney Local Costs, Sheriffs Office Local
Costs, Public Works and Social Services. Again, Social Services have had state
allocation cuts, Health and Welfare has also seen cuts in federal and state funding.
Special Revenue Funds consist of Contingency Fund, Solid Waste Fund, Conservation
Trust Fund and Emergency Reserve Fund. These funds are all currently stable.
Capital Budget— requirement is to put together a five year plan, but the county has a
seven year plan. Looking at jail pod expansion to be in 2015 - 2016 since jail population
has dropped and crime rates have gone down. Work release and community corrections
programs have helped keep people out of the jails and with their jobs. An immediate
project will be the tower system. The need was evident after the Windsor tornado. The
new system will put the county in good shape for another ten years.
Proprietary Funds — treated like a small business or self supporting. This would include
Paramedic Services Enterprise Fund, Motor Vehicle Fund, Health Insurance Fund,
Insurance Fund, Phone Service Fund and Weld County Finance Corporation.
Councilman Mueller asked if there will be some financial benefit with having some primary
medical care on-site. Mr. Warden stated that all the studies seen state there should be
$2-$3 return on each dollar of investment. The county is being cautious with these
numbers. There has been good feedback from employees for this service. The new
health care reform bill will be adding a 4% increase to insurance plans. This entails the
pre-existing conditions no longer a restriction and children 26 and younger can come
back on the insurance plan. The county share went up 12% due to the health care reform
and the county is paying up the 10% increase in health premiums for employees.
Mr. Warden distributed handouts regarding the upcoming Amendments 60 & 61 and the
Proposition 101. He informed the council on the impact on Weld County Government, if
passed.
Amendment 60 — This is an amendment to Tabor dealing with property tax. This will have
minimal impact on Weld County Government as we are a Home Rule Charter county and
we stay within the Tabor limit. It would affect the Clerk and Recorder's office by allowing
electors to vote on property tax issues where they own real property. Added costs would
be incurred to conduct elections with property tax issues. This would affect the Greeley-
Weld Airport Authority and the High Plains Library District.
Amendment 61 —This is an amendment stating that the State of Colorado can't have any
debt. The state currently funds water projects, finances hospitals, health care facilities
and student loans. This would mean the state could no longer fund these areas. This
amendment also states there must be an election for any debt and amortized over 10
years, which would be very difficult. This amendment will also have very minimal impact
on Weld County Government since we do not have any debt.
Weld County Council Minutes
September 20,2010
Page 3 of 4
Proposition 101 —This proposition covers vehicle taxes and fees, state income tax and
telecommunication taxes. This is the biggest concern for state and local officials. This
would significantly decrease specific ownership tax on vehicles. The fees associated with
the registration could not be more than $10. This would greatly impact the amount of
funds going to the county public works fund for roads and bridges. State Income Tax will
be phased down. It is currently 4.63%, goes to 4.5% in 2011 and drops .1% yearly until
reaching 3.5%. That is over $1 Billion loss for the State of Colorado. Telecommunication
Tax—This would impact the county approximately $50,000 per year as the county charge
for cable television franchise fees would be eliminated.
OLD BUSINESS:
Resolution 182
Councilman Tucker made a motion to adopt Resolution 182 setting the Weld County
Commissioners' salary at $87,300 for the years 2013 and 2014. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Mueller and passed.
Resolution 183
Councilwoman Buczek made a motion to adopt Resolution 183 setting the Weld County
Sheriffs salary at $111,100 for the years 2011 through 2014. The motion was
seconded by Councilman Mueller and passed.
Resolution 184
Councilman Tucker made a motion to adopt Resolution 184 setting the Weld County
Assessor's salary at $87,300 for the years 2011 through 2014. The motion was
seconded by Councilwoman Buczek and passed.
Resolution 185
Councilwoman Buczek made a motion to adopt Resolution 185 setting the Weld County
Clerk and Recorder's salary at $87,300 for the years 2011 through 2014. The motion
was seconded by Councilman Mueller and passed.
NEW BUSINESS:
2011 County Council Budget
The proposed 2011 County Council budget was recommended for approval by Don
Warden. A copy of this information was given to the council for their records.
Notebook Update
A notebook update regarding 2011 Weld County Holidays was distributed to the council.
Coordinator Reports
Council President Buck attended the Progressive 15 meeting.
Weld County Council Minutes
September 20,2010 ._
Page 4 of 4
Payment of Bills
Councilman Mueller made a motion for the bills to be paid as listed below:
Mileage for Councilwoman Perry Buck $ 48.96
Mileage for Councilwoman Ginny Buczek $. 30.72
Mileage for Councilman Charles Tucker $ 18.72
Ft. Lupton Press (2nd Qtr Report to the People) $ 27.60
The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buczek and passed.
ADJOURNMENT: By acclamation the meeting was_adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
October 18, 2010 Perry Council President
Karla Ford, Council Secretary
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