Wellington budget anticipates construction slowdown
By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News
The town of Wellington, with a population of 5,200, will spend about $8
million for daily operations and town-initiated capital improvements in
2007. That compares with $7.8 million last year.
When developer-financed infrastructure is added into the budget, it hits
$23.7 million compared with $25.4 million in 2006. The decrease reflects
an anticipated slowdown in new building activity.
Town administrator Larry Lorentzen said the staff conservatively estimates
revenue from new building permits each year, and this year they expect
to issue 80 permits, generating about $1.7 million in income. That's a
marked decrease when compared with a decade of unprecedented growth.
Adopted by the town board on Dec. 12, the budget incorporates a mill levy
of 14.676, which is about one-quarter mill lower than the previous year.
Property taxes will provide about $626,000 in revenue. The town's total
assessed valuation is $42.68 million, up $5.46 million from the previous
year.
On the revenue side, sales taxes are projected to bring in $337,500, and
franchise fees will add $86,000 in income. Raw water and tap fees will
generate $625,305, and sewer user fees will total $475,000.
For law enforcement, Wellington will continue to contract for a sergeant
and four deputies from the Larimer County Sheriff's Department. The contract
for 2007 will cost the town $556,862.
The budget also allows for two new employees on the administrative staff.
The job of assistant to the clerk and finance department is currently filled
by a temporary worker, and a new position of permit tech/planner will assist
Lorentzen.
Work on various street projects continues, with money allocated to smooth
out the railroad crossing on Jefferson Avenue and to replace a block of
pavement on Fourth Street from Cleveland to Roosevelt. Basic street rehabilitation
projects with overlays and seal coats are also planned.
In the water department, the town has set aside $400,000 for a nanofiltration
filter that will improve the taste and smell of town water, in addition
to removing some hardness. The filtration project should be completed by
mid-year, in time for problem-causing algae blooms that generally occur
between August and October, Lorentzen said.
The town has also allocated $1.3 million to purchase additional water rights
to supplement what is currently available from the existing water plant
and well system. The same amount was allocated last year, but not spent.
In the parks department, the town will start construction of a foot and
bike trail system through the Buffalo Creek Subdivision, following Boxelder
Creek north of Washington. The budget allocates $100,000. The town will
also spend $150,000 on batting cages in Buffalo Creek, as well as hire
an outside consultant to prepare a master plan for parks and trails. In
addition, the budget will fund construction of a picnic pavilion in ViewPointe
Park.
The town has budgeted $12,000 for economic development. That includes $300
dues to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and $2,500 dues to the Northern
Colorado Economic Development Corp.
All expenditures for 2007 are divided among the following funds.
- General fund: $1,858,557
- Street fund: $7,506,950
- Water fund: $8,556,313
- Sewer fund: $3,652,260
- Park fund: $2,114,975
More information about the budget is available at town hall by calling
568-3381.
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