Ouray County commissioners earlier this month revealed next year’s preliminary budget following September’s budget meetings, including most requested expenditures and finalizing plans to increase the county government’s size for the 15th consecutive year.
Ouray County commissioners earlier this month revealed next year’s preliminary budget following September’s budget meetings, including most requested expenditures and finalizing plans to increase the county government’s size for the 15th consecutive year.
As a result, the county now projects to spend nearly $20.2 million next year, a $1.1 million increase compared to last year’s approved budget. County officials project to collect $20.9 million in revenue, giving the county a roughly $732,000 surplus.
The vast majority of that spending increase can be attributed to an extra $819,000 in general fund capital improvements and purchases compared to this year. Major capital expenditures include $182,000 for leased vehicles and an $87,000 balance for emergency management plans not fully covered by grant funding.
On the personnel side, commissioners included several new positions they deemed necessary during September’s budget meetings. Those positions include a deputy county manager, deputy county attorney, appraiser, deputy sheriff and corporal, which will collectively cost more than $502,000 annually. That figure includes salaries, payroll taxes, retirement fund contributions and health insurance benefits.
All current county employees will also receive a one-time 6.5% cost-of-living adjustment increase to their current salaries. Preliminary budget documents didn’t include a detailed breakdown of how much this initiative would cost.
By hiring those employees, the county projects to employ the equivalent of 89.4 full-time employees next year, up almost 78% from when the county employed the equivalent of 50.3 full-time employees in 2004. Since 2004, Ouray County’s population has grown an estimated 29.6%, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
This month’s meeting also highlighted significant increases across virtually all six of the county’s budget fund balances. The funds that experienced the largest balance increases were the public health fund, road and bridge sales tax fund and general fund, which have grown 581%, 313% and 293%, respectively, since 2019.
With next year’s preliminary budget drafted, the county now faces several key dates.
The board is scheduled to meet on Nov. 15 for a general review and to make changes if needed. Once finished, commissioners will meet again on Dec. 6 for a final budget hearing.
Should voters approve Proposition HH, the county will have until Dec. 31 to adopt the final budget and comply with the state-imposed deadline. The state has required counties to adopt their final budget by Dec. 15 in the past.
Daniel Schmidt is a journalist with Report for America, a national service program which helps boost reporting resources in underserved areas. To make a tax-deductible donation to fund his work, contact erin@ouraynews.com.
