Meetings
 

AGENDA
May 16, 2012
Special Meeting
Annual Budget Hearing
Town Council Chambers - 120 Civic Plaza Drive
8:30 AM
 
 
1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE HONORABLE MAYOR DARREN M. CORDOVA
2. ROLL CALL
3. MOMENT OF SILENCE
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5. MATTERS FROM STAFF
A. BUDGET PRESENTATIONS BY DEPARTMENT HEADS

Notice is hereby given to the citizens of Taos that the Town Council, meeting in their capacity of Board of Finance for the Town of Taos, will review the Interim Town Manager’s proposed budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The meeting will be open to the public; however, due to the extensive time involved in reviewing the budget, comments from the public will not be considered at this time. A separate public hearing on the proposed budget will be scheduled to receive public comment on June 26, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. The schedule is as follows:


1.  8:30 a.m. - Overview of the Budget Process/Policies, Abigail Adame
2.  8:40 a.m. - Revenue Projections and discussion regarding proposed Fund Balance Resolution, Marietta Fambro
3.  8:50 a.m. - Capital Projects Budget, Marietta Fambro & Miranda Quintana
4.  9:00 a.m. - Central Communications Budget, Shirley Lujan
5.  9:10 a.m. - Police Department Budget, Jerry Hogrefe
6.  9:20 a.m. - Fire Department Budget , Eric Montoya
7.  9:30 a.m. - Utility Billing Budget, Debbie Medina-Vigil            
8.  9:40 a.m. - Finance Budget, Marietta Fambro      
9.  9:50 a.m. - Lodger’s Tax Budget, Marietta Fambro      
10.  10:00 a.m. - Public Affairs and Tourism Budget, Cathy Connelly
11.  10:10 a.m. - Facilities Services Budget, Ron Yachinich
12.  10:20 a.m. - Transportation Budget, Francisco Espinoza & Delilah Garcia
13.  10:30 a.m. - Street Maintenance Budget, Francisco Espinoza & Wilfred Garcia
14.  10:40 a.m. - Landfill Budget, Francisco Espinoza & Claudio Martinez
15.  10:50 a.m. - Recycling Budget , Francisco Espinoza & LisaAnn Torrez
16.  11:00 a.m. - Fleet Maintenance Budget, Francisco Espinoza & Mario Montoya
17.  11:10 a.m. - Regional Airport Budget, John Thompson
18.  11:20 a.m. - Municipal Court Budget, Richard Chavez
19.  11:30 a.m. - Youth & Family Center/Pool Budget, Brian Greer
20.  11:40 a.m. - Planning, Zoning and Building Budget, William Morris
21.  11:50 a.m. - Human Resources Budget, Loretta Trujillo  

12:00 p.m. Break for Lunch  

22.  1:00 p.m. - Legal Budget, Cyndee Perez 
23.  1:10 p.m. - Water Supply Budget, Amos Torres
24.  1:20 p.m. - Wastewater Budget, Amos Torres
25.  1:30 p.m. - Treatment Plant Operations Budget, Amos Torres/CH2M HILL OMI
26.  1:40 p.m. - Public Library Budget, George Jaramillo      
27.  1:50 p.m. - Information Systems Budget, Reuben Martinez
28.  2:00 p.m. - Executive Budget, Renee Lucero
29.  2:10 p.m. - Town Council Set-Aside Budget, Abigail Adame
6. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT
7. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL
8. MATTERS AND REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR
9. MATTERS AND REPORTS FROM THE COUNCIL
10. ADJOURNMENT
 
• To request details on an agenda item please contact the Town Clerk at 400 Camino de la Placita, Taos New Mexico, 87571 (575) 751-2005.
• If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of aid or service to attend and/or participate in a meeting of the Town of Taos Council, please contact the office of the Town Clerk at 400 Camino de la Placita, Taos New Mexico, 87571 (575) 751-2005 at least 24 hours in advance.
•For copies of this agenda please pick-up at Town Hall. You may also view the agenda and the agenda packet at http://public.taosgov.com/.
 
Meetings
 

MINUTES
May 16, 2012
Special Meeting
Annual Budget Hearing
Town Council Chambers - 120 Civic Plaza Drive
8:30 AM
 
 
1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE HONORABLE MAYOR DARREN M. CORDOVA
  

The Annual Budget Hearing of the Taos Town Council was called to order by the Honorable Mayor Darren M. Cordova at 8:37 a.m. 
2. ROLL CALL
  

Ms. Renee Lucero, Town Clerk, called roll and a quorum was present.  

Those present were:      
Mayor, Darren M. Cordova      
Mayor Pro Tem, Michael A. Silva
Councilmember, Rudy C. Abeyta           
Councilmember, Frederick A. Peralta       
Councilmember, Andrew T. Gonzales


Also present were:      
Interim Town Manager, Abigail Adame
Finance Director, Marietta Fambro
Town Clerk, Renee Lucero
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  

Councilmember Gonzales led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
  

Councilmember Abeyta made a motion to approve the Agenda as presented. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva, and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales. 

5. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
A. Holy Cross Hospital
6. MATTERS FROM STAFF
A. BUDGET PRESENTATIONS BY DEPARTMENT HEADS
 

1. Overview of the Budget Process/Policies, Abigail Adame

Ms. Adame explained the budget process and stated directors prepared their budgets in accordance with the guidelines provided.  She further stated the Town continues to implement a managed hiring freeze.  Furthermore, she stated out of state travel shall not be included in the budget; however, if the travel is beneficial to the Town, it may be handled on a case by case basis.  Additionally, Ms. Adame stated she and the Finance Director have located $103,000 which may be used to implement the one-time lump sum benefit or it may be used to implement a 25¢ increase for employees as they have not received a pay increase for over three years.  Her recommendation is to do the latter.

Councilmember Peralta asked what percentage of the overall budget would be used toward the one-time lump sum or pay increases.  Ms. Adame stated approximately 1%.  Councilmember Peralta stated he believes the Town should allocate 3% of the budget to be used for pay increases to allow employees' salaries to catch up with inflation, considering they have not received pay increases for over three years.  Mayor Pro Tem Silva agreed.

2. Revenue Projections and discussion regarding proposed Fund Balance Resolution, Marietta Fambro

Ms. Fambro reviewed the revenue projections and stated the budget was prepared based on actuals through March, 2012 and estimates from April through June, 2012.  She explained in the General Fund, the Unaudited Beginning Balance is $1,491,511; Estimated Revenues are $10,415,329; Budget Expenditures are $10,426,173 leaving an Estimated Ending Balance of $895,491, which is a bit more than the required 1/12 of the annual budgeted expenditures.

Councilmember Abeyta asked Ms. Fambro to elaborate on the General Fund Cash carry-over of $1,491,511 which is a decrease from last year's amount of $1,893,609.  Ms. Fambro stated last year the Town experienced a 15% increase in GRT, which was used to fund extra capital projects, community grants and the one-time lump sum benefit.  She clarified this year the Town will not have that extra flow of money.

3. Capital Projects Budget, Marietta Fambro & Miranda Quintana

Ms. Fambro explained the guidelines the directors followed in requesting Capital Improvements Projects (CIP). 

A lengthy discussion ensued with regard to the street improvement projects.  Ms. Adame explained mill and fill and other improvements projects amount to a total of $620,000; however, only $570,000 is actually allocated in the budget.  Therefore, she requested that Council prioritize the projects listed below:

- Civic Plaza Drive reconstruction
- Bent Street reconstruction
- Old Talpa Canon
- Camino del Medio
- Salazar Road

After discussion, the Council agreed to fund all projects, with the exception of Camino del Medio which will only be partially funded by reducing the scope of work.

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Capital Projects Budget. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales. 

4. Central Communications Budget, Shirley Lujan

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Central Communications Budget. Councilmember Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

5. Police Department Budgets, Jerry Hogrefe

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to tentatively approve the Police Department Budgets. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

6. Fire Department Budgets, Eric Montoya

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Fire Department Budgets. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

7. Utility Billing Budget, Debbie Medina-Vigil

Councilmember Abeyta made a motion to tentatively approve the Utility Billing Budget. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

8. Finance Budget, Marietta Fambro

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to tentatively approve the Finance Budget. Mayor Pro Tem Silva seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

9. Lodger’s Tax Budget, Marietta Fambro

Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to tentatively approve the Lodger’s Tax Budget. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

10. Public Affairs and Tourism Budget, Cathy Connelly

Due to a conflict of interest, Mayor Cordova removed himself from the Council Chambers because his company, DMC Broadcasting, is included in the proposed budget.

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to tentatively approve the Public Affairs and Tourism Budget. Councilmember Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

11. Facilities Services Budget, Ron Yachinich

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Facilities Services Budget. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

12. Transportation Budget, Francisco Espinoza & Delilah Garcia

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Transportation Budget. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

13. Street Maintenance Budget, Francisco Espinoza & Wilfred Garcia

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Street Maintenance Budget. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

14. Landfill Budget, Francisco Espinoza & Claudio Martinez

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to tentatively approve the Landfill Budget. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

15. Recycling Budget, Francisco Espinoza & LisaAnn Torrez

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Recycling Budget. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

16. Fleet Maintenance Budget, Francisco Espinoza & Mario Montoya

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to tentatively approve the Fleet Maintenance Budget. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

17. Regional Airport Budget, John Thompson

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to tentatively approve the Regional Airport Budget. Mayor Pro Tem Silva seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

18. Municipal Court Budget, Richard Chavez

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Municipal Court Budget. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

19. Youth & Family Center/Pool Budgets, Brian Greer

Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to tentatively approve the Youth & Family Center/Pool Budgets. Councilmember Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

20. Planning, Zoning and Building Budget, William Morris

Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to tentatively approve the Planning, Zoning and Building Budget. Councilmember Abeyta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

21. Human Resources Budget, Loretta Trujillo

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Human Resources Budget. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

22. Legal Budget, Cyndee Perez

Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to tentatively approve Legal Budget. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

23. Water Supply Budget, Amos Torres

A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the low pay of the employees within the Public Utilities and Public Works departments.  Council expressed their concerns regarding the pay and agreed that those departments' salaries need to be evaluated.

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to tentatively approve the Water Supply Budget. Mayor Pro Tem Silva seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

24. Wastewater Budget, Amos Torres

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Wastewater Budget. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

25. Treatment Plant Operations Budget, Amos Torres/CH2M HILL OMI

Councilmember Gonzales made a motion to tentatively approve the Treatment Plant Operations Budget. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

26. Public Library Budget, George Jaramillo

Councilmember Abeyta made a motion to tentatively approve the Public Library Budget. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

27. Information Systems Budget, Reuben Martinez

Councilmember Abeyta stated, due to recent resignations within the IT Department, he would like the salaries of the IT Department employees to be evaluated to ensure that they are being paid a competitive salary. Mayor Pro Tem Silva agreed.

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Information Systems Budget. Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

28. Executive Budget, Renee Lucero

Councilmember Peralta made a motion to tentatively approve the Executive Budget. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

29. Town Council Set-Aside Budget, Abigail Adame

Ms. Adame explained several projects have not yet been funded such as the proposed move to the Regional Command Center, the contract with Taos Sports Alliance and Phase 2 of the Eco Park.  She requested direction from Council as to which projects they want funded, whether they want to cut funding from other projects, and whether Council wants to implement the 3% pay increase for employees. 

A lengthy discussion ensued with regard to the various projects which are currently unfunded and determining how to locate funding for such projects.  In addition, Council discussed the proposed implementation of the 3% pay increase for employees, whether the Convention Center needs to be re-evaluated, and the possibility of going into a public/private partnership with Taos Sports Alliance. 

Mayor Cordova directed staff to evaluate the issues discussed and bring back a proposal for Council's review.  Ms. Adame stated she and Ms. Fambro will evaluate the issues and bring back some options for Council's consideration.

Mayor Pro Tem Silva made a motion to tentatively approve the Town Council Set-Aside Budget. Councilmember Gonzales seconded the motion. The motion was approved by an affirmative vote. Those voting AYE were: Mayor Pro Tem Silva and Councilmembers Abeyta, Peralta and Gonzales.

The Mayor and Council thanked Ms. Fambro, Ms. Adame and staff for their hard work in preparing a streamlined budget.

7. MATTERS FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL/YOUTH COUNCILMEMBER
8. ADJOURNMENT
  

A motion was made by Councilmember Peralta and seconded by Councilmember Gonzales to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.

 
 
APPROVED:
________________________________________
Darren M. Cordova, Mayor

ATTEST:
________________________________________
Renee Lucero, Town Clerk

    PLEASE NOTE: The Town of Taos records most Town Council Meetings via audio, however, only Regular Town Council Meetings and some Special Town Council Meetings, with controversial issues, are video recorded. Copies are available upon request at the Town Clerk's Office located at 400 Camino de la Placita (575-751-2005) at a fee of $5.00 for audio recordings and $10.00 for video recordings.