Locals may spend more in 2015: riding the trolley, rafting the river, recycling and paying their utility bills.
The Durango City Council is looking for a way to keep several city services from losing money and raise enough revenue to start major construction projects.
Paying $1 for the trolley is one of the most unpopular measures among some Durango city councilors. They are concerned it might discourage tourists from using public transportation.
To keep the trolley free, city officials would need to find $259,000 in the budget.
“The biggest nut to solve is the trolley,” Durango City Manager Ron LeBlanc told the council.
The trolley went free in 2009 to encourage ridership, and some current users said a fare would definitely force them to seek alternatives.
“A lot of people in government don’t understand how important this service is,” said Kevin Center, who rides the trolley every day to work.
Amber Blake, mulitmodal administrator, suggested a fare because the department has been spending savings to pay for the trolley.
“If we continue on the trajectory we’re on, by 2017, we don’t have any money in the bank,” she said.
Although meter prices went up in January to help subsidize the trolley, it has not been enough. But Mayor Sweetie Marbury said she believes the city can find money for it.
“If you charge for it, it will kill it,” she said.
Fees may also go up to drop off recyclables at the Durango Recycle Center. City officials have asked La Plata County commissioners to consider contributing $60,000 to the center. If the commissioners do not approve the extra funding, drop-off fees would go from $1 to $2 to drop off a 60-gallon container of materials.
The commissioners have expressed varying points of views on the issue so far, County Manager Joe Kerby said. A decision from the commissioners is expected after the city budget is approved.
Permit increases also will likely be levied on commercial river outfitters in 2015.
In her 2015 budget, Director of Parks and Recreation Cathy Metz proposes a $1 fee for every person an outfitter takes down the river. After meetings with outfitters, she plans to present a compromise to council.
A flat fee is easier for owners to manage, so commercial rafting companies agreed to pay double for a permit – or $1,100 instead. Under the agreement, nonprofit outfitters, commercial fishing guides and educational outfitters would not incur permit increases.
Some city councilors consider charging outfitters more an issue of fairness because the city has paid millions for the river infrastructure, Councilor Dean Brookie said.
While some fees have been adjusted after public comment, water and sewer improvements costing in the millions are making fee increases largely unavoidable.
Water and sewer projects are estimated to cost $89 million between 2016 and 2024.
Currently, the city owes about $35 million for the Durango Public Library, Florida Road, the Durango Community Recreation Center and water storage, according to budget documents.
The city’s current debt limit is set at 10 percent of the assessed value of property in the city, or about $48 million. However, the debt limit will not apply to the water and sewer projects because that debt will be paid for through user fees.
Many sewer upgrades are required to meet state water-quality standards. As a result, cities across the state are also taking on major debt to pay for sewer projects, said Kevin Bommer, deputy director for the Colorado Municipal League.
For example, the Littleton/Englewood Waste Water Treatment Pant was given an estimate of $600 million to complete upgrades by 2022, said the plant’s manager Dennis Stowe.
Durango has until 2023 to meet its water-quality standards, and city officials have discussed approaching voters to approve taking on water and sewer debt in 2016.
The City Council has favored a new tiered structure for water and sewer users that will reward those who conserve water.
The public can offer comment on the city’s 2015 budget at 6:30 p.m. today in Durango City Hall, 949 East Second Ave.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
Easing utility pain
The Durango City Council is considering revising it’s utility rebate program in 2015 to help customers who cannot afford the new rate increases.
These changes would align the rebate program more closely with federal standards.
Under the proposed changes, residents will be able to earn more annually and still qualify. The refund amounts also will be higher.
For example, maximum income from a family of three would be raised from $20,376 to $33,050. The maximum refund for the same family would increase from $145 to $295.
To qualify for these refunds, the resident must own a residential property within city limits. They also must prove they lived in the property for 10 months during the year.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
