Major changes between 1996 and 1997 budgets

The Recycling Fund continues to be supported by the one tenth of a cent sales tax. This fund is budgeted at $7,954,833 for 1977 in anticipation of the Boulder County Recycling and Composting Authority's need to fund the construction of a facility.

Non-Profit agencies, Mental Health, and Development Disabilities received an increase in allocation of $320,535 for 1997.

The Social Services Fund is expecting major changes in funding during 1997 because of federal welfare reform. At the time that the budget was adopted, it was too early to anticipate the fiscal impact.

The salary and benefit package for existing employees as approved by the Commissioners includes salary survey adjustments, a 3% merit pool, and salary increase for employees who are below the mid-point of their salary range. The Commissioners granted several premium holidays in the health insurance plan during 1997.

The Commissioners approved 24.5 new full time employees (FTE) during the 1997 budget process.

The Boulder County Service Corps was expanded by the Commissioners for 1997. This work program for County youth will be coordinating with various cities in Boulder County to provide additional work teams and revenues into the program.

The Road and Bridge Fund does not include federal and state funded projects in 1997. These projects will be determined early in 1997 and added to the budget at that time. This is consistent with the budgeting technique used for the Road and Bridge Fund in 1996.

The Parks and Open Space budget continues to grow to accommodate the acquisition and maintenance of Open Space properties. The Weed Control program was reorganized within this department and continues to be upgraded for 1997.

The 1997 Elections budget in the Clerk and Recorder's Office was reduced from the 1996 level that covered the presidential election year primaries and general elections. The Recorder's budget was increased by $112,052 for the recording/imaging project implementation.

This year the Commissioners funded the following initiatives to improve the jail overcrowding situation: Community Corrections received $216,319 for several programs; the Sheriff received $143,214 to operate two jail work crews; and the Architects will be working on a design plan for an expansion of the jail facility at a cost of $361,710. Some of the money previously allocated to pay off the lease purchase of the jail is now being allocated to these programs.

Community Services will have a new program to increase coordination between the non-profit organizations in Boulder County. The new position of Volunteer Coordinator will develop this program.

A temporary 0.798 mill levy credit in the General Fund will be in place for taxes collected in 1997, as allowed by State Statue.

Boulder County 1997 Board of Commissioners

Copies of the entire 1997 budget are available to the public at the County Finance Office and the County Commissioners.

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