Wellington gears up for 2007 with additional staff
By Gary Raham
Wellington Correspondent
Come November, the thoughts of town board members turn to the budget for
the approaching new year.
The preliminary budget of $25.5 million shows that 2007 will bring two
new employees to the administrative staff: one is a clerk and finance department
assistant (a position currently filled by a temporary worker), according
to town administrator Larry Lorentzen, and the other, classified as a permit
tech/planner, will assist Lorentzen with his duties. Lorentzen's assistant
could be hired as early as January.
The town has penciled in 100 home starts for 2007. "We always try to give
a conservative estimate," said Lorentzen. According to town records, 2005
saw 275 homes built and there are 96 starts so far this year.
Wellington will continue to contract for a sergeant and four deputies from
the Larimer County Sheriff's Department. The cost for law enforcement services
will increase by 3.5 percent this year, according to Lorentzen. The contract
for 2007 totals $542,862.
The town will invest $10,000 for GIS mapping to update its current Autocad
program.
Work on various street projects continues with money allocated for storm
drain replacements, work on Fourth Street between Cleveland and Roosevelt,
and smoothing out the railroad crossing on Jefferson Avenue.
The town has increased allocations for economic development from $6,000
to $12,000. The town board has been working closely with the new Wellington
Chamber of Commerce on various applications and projects. This year, the
town purchased a full $2,500 investor membership for the chamber with the
Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation.
Expenditures for 2007 are expected to total $25,589,436, divided among
the following funds.
- General fund: $1,794,147
- Street fund: $5,949,556
- Water fund: $7,997,070
- Sewer fund: $3,051,452
- Park fund: $6,797,211
Work sessions on the budget, including line item discussions, will begin
Nov. 14 at the Leeper Center, 3800 Wilson Ave., and continue until the
mid-December deadline for final budget adoption. Community input is welcome.
More information is available at town hall by calling 568-3381.
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