La Plata County commissioners Tuesday adopted a $71 million budget for 2014 amid concern about declining revenues.
Commissioners passed the budget with a 3-0 vote. They agreed to dip into the fund balance, taking $10.1 million from the county’s reserve funds.
“I continue to be concerned about our long-term revenue situation in the county budget,” said Commissioner Bobby Lieb, according to a recording of the meeting. “I think we’re seriously going to have to look at narrowing our scope of services.”
Property-tax revenues have fallen to an estimated $15.5 million for 2014, down from a peak of $29.7 million in 2010, attributed largely to a slowdown in natural-gas production.
Commissioners said they regretted not being able to give raises to county employees for 2014. The county has 403 employees. Some employees who were promoted did receive raises, but employees did not receive cost-of-living or merit raises.
Commissioners denied all requests for additional positions.
“I’m disappointed that we haven’t been able to do pay increases to reward employees, but I’m pleased we’ve been able to absorb the vast majority of the increased health-care costs,” Commissioner Julie Westendorff said.
Commissioners raised the possibility of asking voters to raise taxes or take on more debt.
“We’re also going to need to have a dialogue with the public about revenues, whether that comes in the form of additional revenues or requests for additional debt,” Lieb said. “That said, I am content with this budget. Again, it was a good process. We made some compromises.”
The Board of County Commissioners held more than 40 hours of meetings before finalizing the budget.
The $8.1 million capital improvement fund includes nearly $3.5 million to remodel the former Vectra Bank building at 1101 East Second Ave. The building will house county offices that will be displaced by remodeling the courthouse to accommodate a federal court or more space for 6th Judicial District courts.
The county will spend $2 million to remodel the courthouse.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
