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Grand Junction City Council Reviews Proposed Budget

by KREX News Room
by Danielle Kreutter

Story Created: Nov 19, 2012 at 10:58 PM MDT

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2012 at 1:38 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Grand Junction City Manager made his final 2013 budget presentation Monday night.

Rich Englehart said due to signs of economic recovery, next year's budget contains increases in operating and labor costs and capital projects that, he says will create jobs and stimulate the local economy.

The presentation Monday night comes just a few weeks before City Council will have to make a final decision to adopt it.

Next year's budget is nearly $9 million less than the current budget, sitting at $145.8 million dollars.

The city's finance officials say that's because the completion of large capital projects, like the new public safety building, can cause budgets to fluctuate.

"Even though we're continuing on 2013, finishing the fire administration building and a remolded Fire Station #2, we don't have those larger projects in 2013," said Jodi Romero, Financial Operations Director for the city of Grand Junction.

Officials say, although the budget is less than in previous years, the city still plans to invest more than $30 million into various community projects including:

- $325,000 towards Affordable Housing.
- $4.6 million towards Avalon Theatre Renovation and Two Rivers Convention Center Improvements.
- $520,000 to Economic Development Contingency.
- $1 million to Education.
- $4 million to Infrastructure Improvements, including a truck stop at 22 Road and Highway 6&50, Heritage Estates and Community Hospital medical offices development.
- $2.1 to Improvements to Parks, Pools and Playgrounds.
- $389,000 to Partnerships, Special Events and Sponsorships.
- $6.3 million to Public Safety.
- $5.1 million to Transportation, Streets and Bridges.
- $6.3 million to Water and Sewer Systems.

The formal authorization of the budget is set for December 5.

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Disgusted said on Tuesday, Nov 20 at 12:12 AM

Wow, both a rickety old theater and a truck stop are worth more than education.

Really? said on Tuesday, Nov 20 at 8:09 AM

'Disgusted' makes a valid strong point...also why does the City say economic times are better so increases are happening when for a fourth straight year the County says decline in economics so no increases? Whose the lier? Vegas odds say: County!

concerned said on Tuesday, Nov 20 at 8:36 AM

Cut the budget another eight or nine million. What is it with governments that think money grows on trees. OH I forgot money grows in taxpayers pockets...My bad.

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