Cloverdale lifts spending freeze

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

CLOVERDALE -- The town lifted its spending freeze on the sewer fund during the town council meeting Tuesday. After going negative by nearly $50,000, the fund is back in the black.

"We can't operate and put department's spending on hold," said council member Terry Puffer.

Since May, the town has been investigating an apparent shortfall in the sewer fund. The deficit materialized in March at $25,000, which doubled in April and was brought to the attention of the council last month by clerk-treasurer Patti Truax.

After a transfer from the sewer depreciation fund and cap fees, the fund holds a little more than $75,000. It seems the deposits are not matching with fund reports and possibly not being made in a timely manner.

Cathy Tipton, council president, made a motion for Truax to have fund reports and history detail reports ready for council members seven days prior to a council meeting. Her motion was unanimously approved.

In addition, Puffer's motion for results of an "audit" on the sewer fund is ready by the July 13 council meeting was passed.

"The funds should not be allowed to go in the negative," Puffer said.

In other business:

* Don Gedert with the Redevelopment Commission said a Johnson and Johnson Center would be opening 20 miles from town. It will bring 465 new jobs to the area.

Gedert also asked to spend approximately $1,000 for a new sign at the truck stop on US 231S near the Interstate 70 ramps. The 3-foot by 16-foot sign, which used to read Welcome Center, will become a "Welcome to Cloverdale" sign.

In addition, Gedert questioned the replacement of street signs in Stardust Hills. Utility manager Don Guthrie said he would have them ordered within the next two weeks. Puffer requested Guthrie check into spacing it over a three-month period to help with cash flow.

* An ordinance was approved for the vacation of a right of way on the property of Keith and Jane Ernst.

* Council approved the transfer of $5,000 from the general fund to cover police repairs and equipment.

* Guthrie requested permission to spend $22,000 by the end of June to chip and seal roads near the Beagle Club and Stardust Hills.

Puffer said he didn't feel it was a wise decision and Tipton agreed it wasn't going to work. Guthrie was asked to put together a road repair plan and submit it to the council for review.

* Resident Bob Fish went before the council requesting the railroad crossing on Stardust Way be repaired.

"I had to spend $225 on a bent wheel and I'm sure it's from the railroad crossing," Fish said.

A letter will be sent to CSX requesting the railroad company not wait to repair the crossing until Rockies Express Pipeline move its equipment from the area.

* The park board requested to spend money from its account to install a water fountain and parking bumpers. It was given approval.

Comments
View 1 comment
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • Like Federal, like Local.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Wed, Jun 9, 2010, at 5:46 AM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: