The Recycling Fund is budgeted at $13,362,406 for 2000 for
the construction of the new regional recycling facility and the operating cost for the
Recycling and Composting Authority. This is an increase of $10.7 million from last
year’s budget. The revenue source for this fund is the 0.10% sales/use tax and
interest.
The 2000 budget for the Open Space Capital
Improvement Funds are primarily for bond payments. The new Open Space bonds approved in
the November 1999 election will be added to the budget during 2000 at the time of sale.
The intergovernmental agreement governing the Boulder
County Regional Communications Center was dissolved on 12/31/99. In 2000, the
Sheriff’s Office will run its own communications center and will contract with the
City of Boulder Fire Department, Louisville, Lafayette, rural fire departments, and
miscellaneous other government entities, excluding Longmont. The budget is a part of the
General Fund and the increase of $1 million is significantly offset by revenue from the
participating entities. The City of Boulder Police Department will operate its own
communications center.
The Commissioners limited approval on requests from
all Offices and Departments to 2%. This action is aimed at preparing the county for the
loss of revenue from the formation of the new Broomfield County at the end of 2001. By
limiting growth in the budget base, the county will be able to fund ongoing operations in
2002 with reduced revenues. Additionally some one-time capital requests were funded in
2000 to provide for new facilities and to improve the county computing systems.
In November, 1998, the voters approved an increase in the
county sales and use tax to provide for capital facilities and equipment for the Emergency
Rescue Services providers. A new fund has been set up for the Emergency Rescue Services
revenues generated by the approved 0.05% sales and use tax beginning January 1, 1999 and
ending December 31, 2000. There are planned expenditures in 2000 of $1,948,998 for
emergency rescue facilities and equipment.
The Road and Bridge Fund does not include
intergovernmental revenue for shared projects. It is expected that there will be specific
projects in 2000 which will receive Federal and/or State revenues. These revenues will be
budgeted when the amounts are known. This is consistent with past practice. The Road Fund
will have a higher level of funding in 2000 because of the Board’s decision to
allocate an additional $100,000 in specific ownership taxes to this fund.
The Grants Fund grew by $1.5 million from the 1999 adopted
budget. This is due to increased grant activity throughout the County and the assistance
grant to the Jail.
The addition of 14.45 new full time county employees. Five
of the new positions are in the Parks & Open Space Department and 4.75 of the new
positions are in the Sheriff’s Department. There are offsetting revenues or savings
for three of the 9.75 FTE positions in these two departments. The Treasurer’s Office
decreased their FTE count by 1 employee. The balance of the new employees are distributed
throughout County departments and offices.
The Capital Expenditure Fund was increased approximately
$2.7 million for 2000 to continue to build and remodel facilities including the Longmont
Judicial Center, the Community Services’ building and the Clerk & Recorder’s
building.
