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La Plata County finances for 2016 take shape

La Plata County commissioners on Tuesday got a first glimpse of the tentative 2016 fiscal year budget proposal, which is expected to have a beginning total fund balance of about $73 million.

The county has 10 separate funds, including the general fund, road and bridge fund, social services fund, and joint sales tax.

The budget proposal addressed the volatility of natural gas prices and related gas and oil property tax revenue, which is expected to see another decrease in 2017. Last year, the county’s property tax revenue was $15.6 million, a 47.8 percent drop from 2010’s $29.4 million.

Anticipated county-wide revenues, which include one-time funds like capital grants, are expected to be up 12.2 percent.

Property taxes are still the county’s largest revenue source at 24.7 percent. Sales tax is the second largest funding pool at 20.1 percent, with intergovernmental revenue accounting for 18.4 percent.

Revenue anticipated from a proposed 2.4 mill levy increase is not factored into the 2016 budget in any way.

Though natural gas prices have been down, there is a two-year lag before they impact the county’s property tax revenue because of the way property values are assessed. Therefore, the 2016 projected expenditures reflect the high revenue from two years ago.

Most expenditures are directed to public safety at 32 percent, with general government (administration, assessor, clerk, etc.) at 22 percent and public works coming in third at 15 percent.

There are $22 million in capital projects on the books for the year ahead, including $5 million for the road and bridge fund. Those projects include completion of the Marvel Ignacio equipment storage sheds, an overlay and turn lane on County Road 210 and designs for Rock Creek Bridge on County Road 514 and Tiffany Bridge on County Road 321.

The BOCC will meet with department heads and elected officials throughout the month. A public hearing is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 14. Commissioners will vote on the budget Dec. 8.

jpace@durangoherald.com

By the numbers

La Plata County commissioners on Tuesday got a preliminary taste of the 2016 fiscal year proposed budget. Here are some projections:

Total starting fund balance: $72.9 million

Ending fund balance: $51.6 million

County-wide revenues: $77 million

County-wide expenditures: $99.2 million, 32.7 percent of which will go to personnel costs.

Public safety, general government and public works are the top three expenditures

Personnel salaries and wages: $23.9 million

Personnel benefits: $8.5 million

Capital projects: $22 million

County-wide contingencies (backup money): $8.68 million

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