Town budget expenses projected to top $25 million
By Gary Raham
Wellington Correspondent
The Wellington Town Board in December approved a 2006 budget of $25.4
million, which includes the cost of a fifth law enforcement officer, to
be added June 1, and two new administrative employees to assist with the
town's growing workload.
Wellington is expected to reach a population of around 5,000 during 2006,
according to town administrator Larry Lorentzen. One of the new hires will
assist Lorentzen, and one will help finance director Mike Cummins.
Wellington's growth is also reflected in the $330,000 allocated for roadwork
east of Interstate 25 at Frontage Road and Jefferson (County Road 62) and
$65,000 for work west of the interstate on CR 62 at the railroad crossing.
Another expense - remodeling town hall - will provide more work area for
sheriff's department staff.
One change from the preliminary budget included $1.3 million in the water
fund for pursuing an alternative water source, if needed, to supplement
what's currently available from the existing water plant and well system.
This money comes from building permit fees imposed since 1999, according
to Cummins. "We've built up a war chest over the last several years for
just this purpose," he said.
The town board also decided to increase money in the general fund for economic
development from $6,000 to $12,000.
Total estimated revenue in the 2006 budget is about $30.6 million broken
down as follows: general fund, $2,273,694; street fund, $7,526,071; conservation
trust fund, $84,592; water fund, $8,131,740; sewer fund, $5,320,548; park
fund, $7,065,250 and library trust fund, $192,673.
The following expenses are included in the budget: general fund, $1,827,419;
street fund, $6,388,105; water fund, $7,844,673; sewer fund, $2,782,965;
park fund, $6,550,222 and library trust fund, $40,000.
This leaves a total fund balance of $5,161,184 and a balance of $446,275
in the general fund, down from an anticipated general fund balance of $832,878
in 2005.
Wellington's total assessed valuation for the taxable year 2005 is $37,213,380,
up 27 percent from 2004. For the coming year, the town board certified
a total mill levy of 14.92, with 12.59 mills for general operating expenditures
and 2.33 mills for general obligation bonds that funded construction of
the water plant in 1993.
Property tax is computed by multiplying actual property value times the
property assessment rate (7.96 percent for residential property in 2005)
times the mill levy divided by 1,000.
Additional information about the town budget is available by calling town
hall at 568-3381.
|
