By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
While the rain was a welcome sight to the Raton city commission Tuesday evening they weren’t as happy about the interim budget they are sending to the state.
According to City Manager Berry this budget is very conservative especially in light of the Pioneer layoffs and a continued 4+% drop in gross receipts taxes. Berry noted that while we have some good million dollar projects in progress those are only good for the near term but not for long-term prospects.
The other big question in this year’s budget is insurance premiums, which the city should know more about come July. Berry noted that the county commission heard today that their premiums will only go up about 3%. Berry indicated they have heard rate increases as much as 15%.
The commission moved through the other items on the agenda approving the agreement with Children Youth and Family Department for the Juvenile Justice Agreement. Of major note here was the increase in the grant up to $128,418.
Commissioners approved the financial report for April 2015 noting a 4.3174% decrease in gross receipts taxes from the budgeted amount of $2,549.854 to an actual amount of $2,439.836. Financial Summary 4-30-15
Commissioners approved resolution 2015-19 the ninth budget adjustment of the year. Budget Adjustment 9 They also approved a Raton Public Service budget adjustment and approved the interim budget to be forwarded on to the state for approval.
Archuleta Construction was awarded the bid for roof repairs to the Wells Fargo Building in the amount of $20,500. The only other bid received was from David Parker Builders for $24,800.
Serazio Construction was the only bid received for the asphalt work on Tiger Drive, which will begin just west of the railroad tracks and go to Letton Drive. The city will use about $33,000 of gas tax money for the match on this project. The bid for the project was $200,875 excluding gross receipts tax.
The city has agreed to purchase insecticide for about $3000 to have the county spray for mosquitos in the city limits. The county felt the job being done in the past wasn’t good and decided to acquire the equipment and do the work themselves.
Commissioners then approved Lodger’s Tax board recommendations for the Raton Rodeo Association for $3000 and Music from Angel Fire for $2500. The board recommended $10,000 to Main Street for the inaugural Gate City Music Festival. Main Street however requested $12,500, which the commissioners agreed to.
Commissioners then approved the new MOU with the Raton Chamber Of Commerce. The MOU was revised at the request of both the city and the chamber due to a lack of specifics on certain areas including accounting of monies provided to the chamber by the city. The new agreement spells some of the duties of a Tourism Coordinator, which was also brought into question after a former tourism director was terminated. MOU with Raton Chamber of Commerce
City Manager Berry noted in his report that he had met with representative from Senator Tom Udall’s office and Senator Martin Hienrich’s office where they discussed some of the issues the city is dealing with such as the Pioneer layoffs, mental health and the schools. Bids for the Multi-Modal project will be opened June 30.
The next regular city commission meeting will be on June 9th at 6:00 p.m.
