City priorities for 2010

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The New Year marks the start of the fiscal year and a new budget for the City. When City Council approved the 2010 budget, they also established priorities for staff to accomplish over the next twelve months.

Significant investments in infrastructure will benefit the community for years to come, provided sales tax collections remain stable. This week’s City News column provides an overview of some key projects and priorities planned for 2010.

Waste Water Treatment Facility

A preliminary engineering study on the condition of the City’s sewer plant was completed at the end of 2008. It concluded a significant upgrade is necessary. Built in 1956 and renovated in 1985, the plant does not have the components necessary to meet ammonia standards and to supply sufficient capacities for the regional area it serves. Together with the City’s engineers, staff selected the new technology to be implemented. Equipment was purchased in late 2009 using proceeds a $1.35 million Energy Impact Assistance Fund grant from the state. Debt financing necessary to complete the project will be secured in early 2010, and City engineers will prepare a bid package for the construction contract this spring. The start of construction is planned to begin in this summer and will be completed in 2011.

Street Improvements

Sackett Avenue will be the focus of the 2010 streets project. Residents should experience less traffic disruption compared to last year when the City extended the useful life of nearly 12-1/2 miles of streets through either a chip/seal or overlay. The long-term plan for maintaining and upgrading streets encompasses different approaches (chip/seal, overlay or re-build) depending upon their age and condition. Sackett deteriorated beyond the point that a chip/seal or overlay is recommended, requiring a greater investment as a cost per mile of repair.

Trails and Recreation Amenities

The narrative in the approved budget included a statement from the City’s Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Master Plan recognizing the “growing trend in the United States for public leaders to recognize… “Quality of Life” amenities are not secondary services provided by governmental agencies, but that they are integral to creating communities where people want to live. These services should be seen as investments in the long-term vitality and economic sustainability of any vibrant and attractive community.”

Salida’s economy clearly benefits from tourism. Recreation and cultural amenities are important not only for the benefit of residents but also for attracting visitors.

The 2B tax helps fund these projects. And, generally, the City does not undertake trails or recreation improvements unless significant grant funding is secured to leverage local dollars.

A $162,050 Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant and private contributions will pay two-thirds of the cost for improvements at the Riverside Park area. The project encompasses new white water park features, an extension of trail through Riverside Park to D Street and a climbing wall in the park.

The “Milk Run” trail is the name given the project to extend the Monarch Spur trail behind the former Starbuck Dairy to the parking lot shared by Wal-Mart and Checker Auto Parts. The trail extension will also provide a connection to CR 111 along Highway 50. This project was awarded a $156,400 grant from Colorado State Parks, which will cover 75% of the cost.

Highly anticipated repairs to the water line that delivers hot springs water to the aquatic center will be completed within a few months! Staff is optimistic that remaining grant funds will be available to also complete enhancements or new features at the facility itself. The City was awarded a $442,000 Energy Impact Assistance Fund grant to pay half the project costs.

City & County Community Services Complex

City hall, the police department and the council chambers / municipal court will be relocated into the completely renovated old hospital building this spring. The portion of the building that will be used for City Hall is designated as a local landmark. This status enabled the City to secure a $190,000 State Historic Funds grant to pay nearly three-quarters of the cost to restore the original building’s exterior.

Employees

In addition to investing in physical assets to serve the community for years to come, the City Council also expressed a commitment to employees. At a time when many communities are laying off large numbers of employees, we are thankful for the support of a governing body that recognizes and appreciates that none of these capital projects or daily maintenance and operating functions could be accomplished without qualified workers. Salary freezes are now in place, but no plans have been implemented to reduce the existing work force.

Staff continues to implement changes to operate as efficiently as possible. For example, Salida residents will notice a different look for their water and sewer bill next week. A new “press and seal” machine is saving the City printing costs and many hours of staff time with each quarterly bill.

Sales tax provides most of the City’s money to pay for the general fund projects and operations. The budget assumption was for sales tax to remain at the 2009 level. 

The decline in City sales tax collections worsened in October, the latest date information is available from the state. The City will continue to monitor sales tax trends and will make budget cuts, if necessary, to maintain adequate reserves.

We are fortunate that the decline in revenue has been less significant than in many communities. But, even with a comparably modest revenue decline, a shortfall from the budget affects the City’s ability to deliver services and complete capital projects. Our community’s commitment to support local businesses is appreciated by the City as well as business owners. It is essential to ensure capital improvements can continue as planned.