County proposes tight budget for next year

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

The owner of a $243,600 home will pay about $1.80 more in property taxes to Larimer County in 2005, if next year's budget is adopted as proposed, while eight county employees will either lose their jobs or have their hours reduced.

What has been described as a tough process has resulted in a $238 million budget proposal for the county. Public hearings will be held in November and the final budget will be adopted on Dec. 17.

County manager Frank Lancaster said while this budget was difficult, he appreciated the way the county staff set priorities to help determine what could be cut. "I think it's a good budget for using the resources we have," he said.

The proposed 2005 budget reflects a 5.4 percent decrease over 2004's final budget, but budgets usually increase throughout the year as county departments receive grants for special projects and other revenues become available.

Property taxes provide 30 percent ($68.5 million) of the county's revenue --an area that is seeing little growth this year with a 2.59 percent increase in the county's net assessed value over the previous year. The county's tax levy for 2005 will be 21.766 mills. County government represents about one-fourth of a typical tax bill.

Larimer County is once again turning to its general fund reserves to make up for shortfalls in other areas. While the fund remains healthy, both Lancaster and budget director Bob Keister are warning citizens that the practice cannot continue.

Until this year, general fund revenue always exceeded general fund expenses. County spending this year took a $2.3 million dip into reserves and will take another $2 million dip next year. A big chunk of the latter ($865,000) will pay for a one-time, multi-year project to verify and update all rural addresses.

In light of continued budget woes at the state and federal levels, Larimer County anticipates a 10 percent reduction ($40 million) in revenue from those sources. As a result, county officials are cutting some programs that have been locally funded to keep programs that used to rely on state and federal money. The county's restaurant inspection program is one example where local taxes will provide $177,000 to continue the food safety program.

Employee issues

Larimer County employs 1,460 people full time or part time. The proposed budget will eliminate 13 positions through attrition, retirement, transfers or layoffs. Overall employee numbers will increase, however, because the county will add six new jobs in community corrections to improve pre-trial services, five deputies and one records technician to the sheriff's office, three positions to the assessor's office and one person in the fleet management department. The net result is an addition of 7.85 positions.

More people providing pre-trial services, which adds $665,000 to the community corrections budget, will help the county process arrest suspects more quickly and free up jail beds. It costs the county $66 a day to hold a person in jail.

Some departments will put employees on short-term furloughs to save money. Those numbers are not included in the employment changes.

County health insurance premiums are increasing 18 percent next year. County government will cover the increase for its employees, but the employees must pay the increase for their insured dependents.

The county will significantly enhance its retirement plan to attract and retain employees. Much of the cost will be offset by awarding smaller salary increases, but the general fund will still contribute an additional $280,000.

Other changes

Much of this year's budget preparation consisted of a host of cuts throughout county government. Examples follow:

• Reduced tax support of Cooperative Extension programs. Cuts total $20,715.
• Reduction in the general fund subsidy of the fairgrounds by $13,362.
• Elimination of the senior property tax work-off program to save $20,000.

Both the planning and engineering departments propose to increase fees in 2005. Public hearings will be held before changes take effect. Combined additional revenue is estimated at $150,000.

Public comment

The proposed budget is available on the county's web site, the Virtual Courthouse, at www.larimer.org, and citizens can comment directly online. The web site includes a budget overview, highlights, details, a property tax example and much more.

A copy of the proposed budget in document form is available at the Larimer County Commissioners' Office at 200 W. Oak St. in Fort Collins, or citizens may call 498-7010 or 498-7017. Copies are also available in local libraries. Comments may be sent to the commissioners by e-mail to BOCC@larimer.org or by fax to 498-7006.

The first public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15, 7 to 9 p.m., in the Larimer County Courthouse Offices Building, first floor public hearing room. This hearing will be televised on local cable stations throughout northern Colorado with a live, call-in (498-7016) opportunity for comments and questions.

Another hearing will be held in Estes Park on Nov. 23, 7 to 9 p.m., in the board of education room of the county offices building, 1601 Brodie Ave.

County commissioners will adopt the budget on Dec. 17, at 10 a.m., in the courthouse offices hearing room.