City of Tucumcari

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City of Tucumcari

Budget Workshop Notes

May 18, 2010

The City Commission of the City of Tucumcari held a Budget Work Session on May 18, 2010 beginning at 9:30 am. Commissioners present were: Antonio Apodaca, Amiel Curnutt, Jimmy Sandoval, and Jim Witcher.

Staff members present were: Bobbye Rose, Mike Cherry, Christine Dougherty, Clara Rey, Dennis Dysart, and Vicki Strand.

Mr. Witcher began by explaining some budget basics. Mr. Witcher explained that there are two sides to the budget that must be kept separate. Mr. Witcher stated they are the general fund section and the utility section.

Mr. Witcher also stated that work on closing the landfill began around 17 years ago. He also explained that other future plans included a wastewater treatment plant. Mr. Witcher explained that these projects have been in the planning stages for quite some time.

Mr. Witcher also stated that the water, sewer, and sanitation departments are designed to fund themselves.

Mr. Apodaca stated that he feels Tucumcari is the only municipality that punishes people for conserving water. Mr. Apodaca stated that the City should take money from the general fund so that citizens don’t have to take a hit in their utility costs.

Mr. Witcher asked Clara Rey to provide a breakdown of the employees. Ms. Rey stated that there are 110 full-time, 13 part-time and 3 casual employees. Mr. Witcher stated that these numbers have decreased since he has been on the Commission. Mr. Witcher stated that employees are doing more with less. He also stated that the City needs a new bulldozer which will cost around half a million dollars to replace.

Mr. Apodaca stated that he has a problem with an 8% sewer rate increase. Mr. Apodaca stated that he asked for information from staff regarding salary increases. Mr. Apodaca said he sees Mr. Sutherland’s footprints all over this. Mr. Apodaca went on to say that twice meetings have been scheduled to look over unknown budget issues. Mr. Apodaca stated that he did not want to put a rubber stamp on a budget.

Ms. Rose stated that she feels she has been open and forthright in the budget process. She stated that all the information on employee changes had been provided to the Commission. Ms. Rose went on to say that the information provided to the Commission regarding salary changes by the finance department was full of errors.

Mr. Apodaca stated that he wants to see it corrected. He stated that there was never a vote on increasing salaries.

Ms. Rose stated that the last budget work session was planned for all day long. Ms. Rose had intentions of going through the budget line item by line item. However, the session was cut off. Mr. Apodaca stated that the session was not cut off by him.

It was decided that another budget work session would be held on Monday, May 24 beginning at 9 am. Lunch will be brought in and the budget will be reviewed line by line.