The Raton City Commission adopted a rate increase in residential, commercial and agricultural water and sewer rates at its regular meeting on Tuesday night, 5/28 at Raton City Hall. Citing rising costs and increased regulatory requirements, the Commission passed the resolution unanimously after the public hearing portion of the process had no one address the Commission. The new rates will take affect on July1 and will increase slightly every year for the next three years. For a municipal residential customer, the water charge under 25,000 gallons per month will be $2.298 per thousand gallons for the first year, $2.367 for the second and $2.438 for the third. The fixed charge per meter will be $13.25 per month for the first year, $13.50 per month for the second year and $13.75 beginning the third year.
The Commission also accepted an interim budget for FY 19-20 for the City of $4.8 million, $3.9 million for Raton Water Works and $5.8 million in total expenditures for Raton Public Service. The Interim Budget must be submitted to the state by June 1 and in preparing the documents, City Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci said the “process never gets any easier.” Adding to the chore is the fact that the Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) is still below March 2019 projections by 3.4% and totally off about 10% for the year. City Manager Scott Berry said the first priority is to maintain services and noted that the small cities assistance checks have worked to help fill in the gaps.
The Commission also approved the event forms for the Raton MainStreet 4th of July events, but postponed to the June 11 meeting, the Run to Raton event certification while waiting on some other paperwork. The commission did, however approve a $12,085 request from the Lodgers Tax Fund for the Run to Raton, but stipulated it is contingent on the required permitting being submitted at the next meeting.
The Commission also approved the Lodgers Tax Board recommendations:
1. $5,218 to Raton MainStreet for the upcoming balloon rally;
2. $4,000 for the Center for community Innovation to film a promotional video for the City.
3. Denied a request from the Ice House for $8,000 to help with its summer concert series. the commission cited the fact that they were very much in favor of the Ice House plans,and regretted having to turn them down, but they felt that the fact it was a private business venture disqualified it from Lodgers Tax funds. Commissioner Lori Chatterly said it was, “unfortunate because it’s a great lineup.”
The Commission also approved requests from the Raton Arts Council for $18,000 and $30,000 for the Raton Museum from Lodgers Tax Non-promotional Funds.
Appointed Lucas Jansen as the City’s Film Liaison with the State Film Commission and appointed Charles Hyde, Randy Madison, Richard Gertler and Chris Candelario to the Raton Planning and Zoning Board.
The Commission also passed a resolution to award a contract to Human Resource Development Associates for $109,500 for the Girls Circle and Boys Council Program and $15,000 to Peace Through Education for the Restorative Justice Program.
Voted to dispose of surplus property of two front end loader/backhoes to use as trade in for new equipment made possible through a $200,000 Capital Outlay Grant from this years legislature.
Agree to a Vector control contract with Colfax county for $3.000.
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 11 and will be broadcast on KRTN AM 1490.
