Council to allocate expected funds from sales tax increase

Extra money also needed for lawyers and Red Lady situation

By Mark Reaman

After Crested Butte voters approved a .5 percent increase in town sales tax last November, the town staff has been working on adjusting the 2016 budget to move money around to accommodate the projected $394,500 in additional revenue.

On Tuesday, February 16 the staff made their financial recommendations to the council and the council gave them the thumbs-up to proceed with their ideas.

According to a memo to the council, the Parks Department will get another full-time year-round employee, along with a full-time seasonal employee for 24 weeks who will help alleviate increases in overtime in the department. The park maintenance supply budget will increase $10,000.

The new bike park project will be budgeted with $13,500 in cash and $16,000 in equipment and materials.

A sidewalk by the tennis courts along with a retaining wall will cost $27,000. More bike racks, benches and picnic tables will also be purchased for summer use.

Given the developments with the Red Lady mine situation and the Cypress Foothills development project north of town, the legal budget for the town will also be increased and amended for 2016. The legal line item will increase to $242,100 from $167,100. That money will come out of the general fund.

The new sales tax revenue will be focused on town parks and maintenance more than recreation expansion in the early stages. But that will free up monies from that department to help the rest of the town budgets.

In that vein, a new marshal’s patrol car is in line to be purchased, the bathrooms by Jerry’s Gym will be renovated, and the heating system in the marshal’s building will be upgraded. The new budget sets aside $350,000 to assist in the clean-up of the old landfill under the Foothills property and begins to allocate money to develop a campground south of town in Avalanche Park.

Council members brought up some of their own ideas on how to spend the additional money. Jim Schmidt asked the staff to look into a quick fix to upgrade and possibly expand the bathrooms at the Four-way Stop. He said instead of building a new structure, the town might consider shifting some office space in the Visitors Center and tearing out walls between the offices and the public bathrooms. He felt that could address some need for more bathroom facilities for the increasing number of summer visitors, especially before they head into the nearby backcountry.

“We have budgeted $350,000 for a new building and the remodel should be under $100,000,” said Schmidt. “I would guess it could come in at maybe $50,000 to $70,000. Just an idea to try to save the town money. The $350,000 was for an integrated restroom and transportation center with a waiting room. My suggestion would be a lot quicker, wouldn’t have to go to BOZAR, and wouldn’t take up any parking spaces.”

Councilman Chris Ladoulis said he would like to see more “way finding” markers in town, referring to directional signage that would inform people where free public parking lots are located and how to find public facilities like the ice rink.

Councilman Roland Mason reminded the council that the building department had conducted a recent study about signage in town. In many cases it was considered to be “cluttered.”

“Maybe the ultimate outcome is to reduce signs but it is something we should look at,” said Ladoulis.

The council will see an ordinance at its next meeting on March 7 that will make the budget adjustments official.