ALAMOSA — October is a month of many events … Breast Cancer, Autism, Down Syndrome Awareness and even Lung Health. Believe it or not, yesterday was National Black Dog Day. 

But for the city officials of Alamosa, October is budget month. Tonight, the Alamosa City Council will have its first reading of the 2020 budget. They’ll have a final vote later in the month, following a public hearing.

Budget Overview

  General Fund

• General fund revenue is projected to increase approximately 3 percent based  on prior year average increases.

• Likewise, property tax revenue will increase approximately $62,000.

• A pay plan adjustment was implemented to comply with the increase in minimum wage and mitigate some of the compression between grades created by minimum wage increases in the past.

• Water and waste water budgets do not include adjustments that will be needed after the reorganization and market evaluation.

• The estimated overall cost of health insurance was decreased by 3 percent.

• The IT budget includes $3,000 to partner with the Boys & Girls club Tech Academy.

• A $100,000 was added to non-departmental for a housing needs assessment with $75,000 in grant revenue to offset the expense.

• Also, $100,000 was added to the fire department to partner with the Alamosa Fire District to construct a fire training facility.

• And $100,000 was added to the municipal court department — $50,000 to go toward alternative sentencing and $50,000 to continue the LEAD program. The LEAD grant funding ends June 30, 2020.

• The economic development department saw an increase for economic initiatives and business development of $16,836.

• The police operations budget increased by $89,374 to purchase Body Cam Technology. It will replace the obsolete system and cost will be partially offset by reduced personnel time required by the new system, including IT, fleet and police. The annual lease includes replacement and support, $17,000 will be transferred to capital reserve for SWAT vest replacement.

• An increase in police support services of one fulltime employee (FTE) community services officer to patrol parks and trails. The personnel cost is estimated at $36,785, while equipment, vehicles and uniform is estimated to be $60,000.

• The LED street light conversion will be $40,000, although this is a placeholder until more definitive information can be provided by Xcel Energy.

• Street improvement spending came in at $723,000.

• Building Maintenance includes $40,000 for roof repairs at city hall and the library;  $12,500 to vandal-proof the outside public restrooms; and $27,000 for heating and ventilation improvements at the police department.

  Enterprise Fund

• The Utility rates increased by those percentages already set out by 2018 ordinance. Those increases are 5 percent for water, 7 percent for sewer and 4 pecent for sanitation.

• There is a transfer in from the debt service fund of $450,000 for water distribution system maintenance and debt service for water augmentation plan.

• Water distribution system improvements are $1,067,000.

• Sewer and storm drain improvements are $1,384,500.

• Sanitation capital outlay of $200,000 for a new sanitation truck.

Recreation Fund

• The library will see a decrease of $32,435 in debt payments for the city hall/library building which will be paid from the general fund.

• There will be $235,359 for the Inspire Grant pass through.

• And $172,000 in rec center and park facilities, $75,000 of which will be grant funded.

Other Funds

According to Alamosa City Manager Heather Brooks, the city uses a series of various other funds for accounting purposes. These funds include the internal service fund responsible for health insurance, ACLC debt service for the city complex and ice rink/multipurpose facility in Fund 12 and debt service for the water treatment plant, cemetery improvements and capital reserves.

The capital reserve fund continues to be used to set-aside funds for future vehicle and large equipment purchases.