Larimer County budget proposal holds the line

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Larimer County Commissioners will hold public hearings in November on the county's $265 million proposed operating budget for 2007.

With the exception of an expected $1 million shortfall in revenues for county road maintenance, there are few changes from this year. County manager Frank Lancaster explained that high gas prices caused residents to purchase less gas, so the county will get less money from the Highway Users Tax Fund.

Cutbacks in maintenance will not be readily noticeable, Lancaster noted. "It will happen over time," he said.

The proposed budget reflects a 2.6 percent increase over the 2006 budget adopted last December. The county budget changes throughout the year, however, to reflect additional grants and other income county departments receive.

When the budgeting process began, commissioners instructed elected officials and department heads to prepare requests with no more than a 3 percent increase in total net expense over 2006. Requests for more money were put on a wish list that totaled $11.2 million. Of those requests, about $360,000 could be funded.

Lancaster said the commissioners want to hold off on some budget requests because there are so many unresolved financial issues, such as jail crowding, election costs, upgrading the emergency radio system and an increase in district court costs.

County health care premiums will go up about 10 percent next year while retaining the same benefits, Lancaster said. The county is self-insured and hires Great-West Healthcare to administer its plan. Last year's decision to self-insure is paying off, Lancaster said, noting that other counties are seeing cost increases of more than 20 percent.

On a positive note, there will be no increase in tipping fees at the landfill or the transfer stations for the fourth year in a row. County park fees will also stay the same.

The proposed budget can be reviewed on the county web site at www.larimer.org/budget/2007budget/. Comments can be made online.

Public hearings will be held Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m., at the courthouse offices building in Fort Collins, and Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., in Estes Park. The Fort Collins hearing will be televised. Viewers may call with their questions or comments by dialing 498-7016.

The budget will be considered for adoption Dec. 19.

Those wanting more information may call budget director Bob Keister at 498-7017 or e-mail keisterm@larimer.org.