News
City Budget: Finish projects, and prepare for growth
By Carol Broeder/Arizona Range News
The city's fiscal year 2007-08 budget is dominated by holdover projects from last year, as well as plans for a new gas regulator station and acquisition of the Cochise County Airport.
The Willcox City Council unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2007-08 budget, totaling $17,043,878, at its June 26 meeting.
The tentative budget is $1,827,027 less than the budget for fiscal year 2006-07, or about 90 percent of that amount.
"The budget emphasizes improvements that will enhance the community and better serve its residents, with a focus on growth and infrastructure improvements," said Ruth Graham, the city's finance director.
The budget includes the costs of the ongoing operations of the city and its programs, she said.
Major projects include construction of the criminal justice complex, completion of Well No.2, completion of the 2006 Arizona Avenue project, and renovation of the Willcox Community Center with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
The coming budget year has some holdover projects from fiscal year 2006-07.
Arizona Avenue
Finalization of the Arizona Avenue project will occur very early in fiscal year 2007-08, City Manager Mike Leighton said in a June 11 letter to the council.
"This project is finally coming to a satisfactory functional and aesthetical conclusion," he said. "Drainage issues are and have been addressed and the way the actual surface looks has been dramatically improved."
"We're almost there with that project," Leighton told the Range News Friday.
Justice Complex
Construction of the new justice complex "was delayed because of concerns about the amount of funding available to construct the facility," Leighton said.
"Negotiated pricing was reduced, a building was added, and aspects of construction are divided to keep costs as close as possible to the $1,215,000," said Leighton, adding that some construction renovation of the library is included in this project.
"The city has positioned itself to be able to obtain an additional $315,000 in bond funds to support the construction of the justice center and the renovation of the library if it becomes necessary," he said.
Water Well
"The new water well and tank project is behind schedule although it is proceeding to conclusion," said Leighton, adding that the city experienced difficulties with its engineering firm and had to stabilize that situation.
"It was also faced with some slowness by the contractor in getting the work accomplished," he said. "This seems to have been corrected and work is proceeding."
The project is supported through financing from the United States Department of Agriculture in a loan amount of $1,575,000.
Leighton expects the project to be completed "early in fiscal year 2007-08."
The acquisition of the airport is also planned, together with the development of a business and/or industrial park at the airport site," said Graham, adding that the budget also includes the anticipated costs of a gas regulator station and reconstruction of the gas pipeline into the city.
"The city also anticipates construction of improvements on Fort Grant Road from the new interchange to Quail Park, using grant funds awarded previously," she said. "The budget also includes plans for future growth, as well as anticipated grant revenues for an airport lighting project, a swimming pool slide, and other projects. The debt service fund, capital improvements fund, gas utility, water utility, sewer utility, refuse utility, and firemen's pension funds are also included."
General Fund
"The general fund is the financing source for the great majority of the city's services," Leighton said.
The general fund supports several city departments: administration, mayor and council, community programs, finance, library, magistrate court, public safety, swimming pool, public works administration, buildings and grounds, development services, code enforcement, parks and recreation, streets and highway users fund (HURF), he said.
"Most of these departments do not vary in terms of revenue or expenditure from year to year," Leighton said. "Changes are generally incremental in nature and are tied to inflationary changes and increases in personnel costs."
The largest service catchment area and cost center for the general fund is Public Safety and Justice, he said.
It is proposed in this budget that the current code enforcement supervision duties be shifted to administration in fiscal year 2007-08.
"It is our intention to have the current code enforcement officer, who is also a fire captain, be reclassified as an information tech, evidence tech, and fire captain. The Public Safety Department has need of having all these duties filled," said Leighton, adding that code enforcement would then shift to Administrative Services as a new hire.
The city also plans to improve the department's communications capabilities and purchase a patrol vehicle in this next fiscal year.
Part of this budget is also slated to employ another part-time animal control officer, he said.
"Our current one officer is working virtually seven days a week," he said. "The animal count is almost equal between the city and county animals."
Another aspect of the general fund for 2007-08 "is the need to acquire land for future city development," said Leighton, adding that he has placed $325,000 in the proposed budget for this purpose.
The general fund is programmed to increase from last year's $4,463,878 to $4,790,293 this year, an increase of $326,415.
The Highway Users Revenue Fund (HURF) the city uses for its streets maintenance is budgeted somewhat less, with last year at $1,358,619 and the next fiscal year at $1,324,620, he said.
"This is based upon a State of Arizona allocation," Leighton said. "This fund is in jeopardy in the years subsequent to 2007-08 and must be protected for rural roads and streets through legislation."
The total amount slated for the utilities budget is $5,527,442. It was $6,039,467 in last year's budget.
"The city can expect to enter into more indebtedness with the lease purchase of a needed gas regulator at approximately $1,500,000," Leighton said. "This is incorporated within the gas budget."
The city will attempt to receive grant funds of $1,600,000 in the coming fiscal year. In 2006-07, the city budgeted $981,418 in grant funds, he said.
"Some of these funds will be carryover because of late starts with CDBG projects," he said.
In recommending the council adopt the proposed budget, Leighton said the city "will be able to provide quality service, plan for the future, and position itself for growth to improve the quality of life that its citizens deserve."
There will be a public hearing on the budget on Monday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 207 W. Maley St.
All members of the public are invited to attend.
Those wishing to comment but unable to attend the public hearing may make written comments until 4 p.m. on the day of the public hearing, in the Office of the City Clerk at 101 S. Railroad Ave., Suite B.
The Willcox City Council unanimously adopted the fiscal year 2007-08 budget, totaling $17,043,878, at its June 26 meeting.
The tentative budget is $1,827,027 less than the budget for fiscal year 2006-07, or about 90 percent of that amount.
"The budget emphasizes improvements that will enhance the community and better serve its residents, with a focus on growth and infrastructure improvements," said Ruth Graham, the city's finance director.
The budget includes the costs of the ongoing operations of the city and its programs, she said.
Major projects include construction of the criminal justice complex, completion of Well No.2, completion of the 2006 Arizona Avenue project, and renovation of the Willcox Community Center with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
The coming budget year has some holdover projects from fiscal year 2006-07.
Arizona Avenue
Finalization of the Arizona Avenue project will occur very early in fiscal year 2007-08, City Manager Mike Leighton said in a June 11 letter to the council.
"This project is finally coming to a satisfactory functional and aesthetical conclusion," he said. "Drainage issues are and have been addressed and the way the actual surface looks has been dramatically improved."
"We're almost there with that project," Leighton told the Range News Friday.
Justice Complex
Construction of the new justice complex "was delayed because of concerns about the amount of funding available to construct the facility," Leighton said.
"Negotiated pricing was reduced, a building was added, and aspects of construction are divided to keep costs as close as possible to the $1,215,000," said Leighton, adding that some construction renovation of the library is included in this project.
"The city has positioned itself to be able to obtain an additional $315,000 in bond funds to support the construction of the justice center and the renovation of the library if it becomes necessary," he said.
Water Well
"The new water well and tank project is behind schedule although it is proceeding to conclusion," said Leighton, adding that the city experienced difficulties with its engineering firm and had to stabilize that situation.
"It was also faced with some slowness by the contractor in getting the work accomplished," he said. "This seems to have been corrected and work is proceeding."
The project is supported through financing from the United States Department of Agriculture in a loan amount of $1,575,000.
Leighton expects the project to be completed "early in fiscal year 2007-08."
The acquisition of the airport is also planned, together with the development of a business and/or industrial park at the airport site," said Graham, adding that the budget also includes the anticipated costs of a gas regulator station and reconstruction of the gas pipeline into the city.
"The city also anticipates construction of improvements on Fort Grant Road from the new interchange to Quail Park, using grant funds awarded previously," she said. "The budget also includes plans for future growth, as well as anticipated grant revenues for an airport lighting project, a swimming pool slide, and other projects. The debt service fund, capital improvements fund, gas utility, water utility, sewer utility, refuse utility, and firemen's pension funds are also included."
General Fund
"The general fund is the financing source for the great majority of the city's services," Leighton said.
The general fund supports several city departments: administration, mayor and council, community programs, finance, library, magistrate court, public safety, swimming pool, public works administration, buildings and grounds, development services, code enforcement, parks and recreation, streets and highway users fund (HURF), he said.
"Most of these departments do not vary in terms of revenue or expenditure from year to year," Leighton said. "Changes are generally incremental in nature and are tied to inflationary changes and increases in personnel costs."
The largest service catchment area and cost center for the general fund is Public Safety and Justice, he said.
It is proposed in this budget that the current code enforcement supervision duties be shifted to administration in fiscal year 2007-08.
"It is our intention to have the current code enforcement officer, who is also a fire captain, be reclassified as an information tech, evidence tech, and fire captain. The Public Safety Department has need of having all these duties filled," said Leighton, adding that code enforcement would then shift to Administrative Services as a new hire.
The city also plans to improve the department's communications capabilities and purchase a patrol vehicle in this next fiscal year.
Part of this budget is also slated to employ another part-time animal control officer, he said.
"Our current one officer is working virtually seven days a week," he said. "The animal count is almost equal between the city and county animals."
Another aspect of the general fund for 2007-08 "is the need to acquire land for future city development," said Leighton, adding that he has placed $325,000 in the proposed budget for this purpose.
The general fund is programmed to increase from last year's $4,463,878 to $4,790,293 this year, an increase of $326,415.
The Highway Users Revenue Fund (HURF) the city uses for its streets maintenance is budgeted somewhat less, with last year at $1,358,619 and the next fiscal year at $1,324,620, he said.
"This is based upon a State of Arizona allocation," Leighton said. "This fund is in jeopardy in the years subsequent to 2007-08 and must be protected for rural roads and streets through legislation."
The total amount slated for the utilities budget is $5,527,442. It was $6,039,467 in last year's budget.
"The city can expect to enter into more indebtedness with the lease purchase of a needed gas regulator at approximately $1,500,000," Leighton said. "This is incorporated within the gas budget."
The city will attempt to receive grant funds of $1,600,000 in the coming fiscal year. In 2006-07, the city budgeted $981,418 in grant funds, he said.
"Some of these funds will be carryover because of late starts with CDBG projects," he said.
In recommending the council adopt the proposed budget, Leighton said the city "will be able to provide quality service, plan for the future, and position itself for growth to improve the quality of life that its citizens deserve."
There will be a public hearing on the budget on Monday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, 207 W. Maley St.
All members of the public are invited to attend.
Those wishing to comment but unable to attend the public hearing may make written comments until 4 p.m. on the day of the public hearing, in the Office of the City Clerk at 101 S. Railroad Ave., Suite B.
Copyright © 2012 - Arizona Range News