The Elizabeth Board of Trustees voted to adopt the 2021 budget at the Dec. 8 meeting. The budget was submitted in October, and a public hearing was held Nov. 24, where taxpayers were given the chance to raise any objections. The budget includes five funds—the general fund, street maintenance fund, street capital improvement fund, water sewer fund and a capital improvement fund, and the estimated balance of all funds going into 2021 totals $12,666,057.
Elizabeth Town Administrator B.J. Potts, who joined the town staff Oct. 26, said the budget was a collaboration between the trustees and the town’s management team, and, as required by state law, has no deficit spending.
“This was really an effort in play before I got here, between the town trustees and their staff,” said Potts. “I wanted to make certain we got it right, and we really did. I’m excited about this budget. It’s going to be more definitive next year.”
The town added $7 million to infrastructure during 2020, and also finished the Town Trail project, as well as starting the realignment of County Road 13, and began the process of paving roads within the town.
Potts said the town is exploring the option to add one more officer to the police department in 2021, as well as hiring an internal finance officer, which would bring the town’s financial service back in-house.
The estimated general fund for 2021 includes $50,689 from unappropriated surpluses, and projects $2,134,782 from other sources such as water and sewer fees. Property taxes will account for $631,286, bringing the general fund total to $2,816,757. The general fund is used to pay for administration, courts, police services, community development and parks and building maintenance.
The street maintenance fund estimates $461,947, the street capital improvement fund comes in at $4,773,644, the water sewer fund is estimated at $4,243,709, and the capital improvement fund at $370,000.
“Your budget tells a story,” said Potts. “I’ve been working with the Department of Local Affairs, and learning a lot more about mill levies and some other things that are specific to Colorado. I’m looking forward to watching this story play out, and tackling it again next year.”