Colfax city parks shave $15,000 off budget

The Colfax City budget for 2011, which was approved at the last city council session, includes a parks budget which underwent a $15,000 cutback because nothing was included for capital expenses. Normally, the parks budget designates $15,000 for capital spending which can include upgrades, purchase of equipment or other expenses not related to maintenance and operation.

The overall city budget for 2011 was approved with an estimated $25,927 in the black. Spending has been charted at $3,033,287 and revenues at $3,059,214.

The parks budget has been charted to finish $514 in the black, but that’s without putting aside the $15,000 for capital expenses.

For the current year, parks capital spending was budgeted at $15,000 but was actually $11,250, all that could be dedicated to that account. Treasurer Mark Clinton said the $11,250, which was not spent, has been moved to the city’s overall capital budget and dedicated for parks spending.

The city’s cash projection for this year notes the parks department started the year with a $6,331 cash surplus which will be gone at the end of the year.

Most of the funds to operate parks derives from a share of the city’s property tax and sales tax income. Next year’s parks revenue budget has charted $89,329 from property taxes, $50,000 from sales taxes, $10,900 from pool admission and admission tax, and $2,000 from swim lesson fees.

Overall parks revenue is projected at $152,321 and expenditures at $151,815.