Adams County Begins Budget Process with Revenue Shortfall

The Adams County Board of Commissioners will begin the budget process this month in order to adopt a 2010 balanced budget in December as required by Colorado state law. The county assessor recently released preliminary property tax values, which will produce $1.8 million less in property tax revenue next year for the general fund.

“The preliminary figures are important because they lay the foundation for our discussions with the county’s department directors and elected officials,” said Chairman Larry W. Pace. “Revenues for 2010 roughly equate to 2008 revenues, so our budget needs to be cut back to near 2008 levels.”

For the first time since 1993, the county’s assessed valuation has dropped. This follows a 15- year period where the county’s assessed valuation has steadily increased. Property tax revenues, which are based on an assessed valuation formula, make up 70 percent of the county’s general fund. The general fund is the county’s primary source for funding county operations. Additionally, other revenue sources, such as investment earnings and sales tax revenues, are in decline.

“We asked each county department and office to scale back their 2010 budgets by 5 percent,” said Commissioner Alice J. Nichol. “We are a fiscally conservative board and will be taking appropriate steps to make sure our budget is sustainable. One thing we don’t want to do is spend down fund balance to pay for ongoing county operations. Balancing the budget is one of the board’s biggest responsibilities. Rest assured, we will be scrutinizing the budget with total regard for the county taxpayer who entrusted us with the fiscal authority for Adams County.”

“The employees are the county’s greatest asset and maintaining service levels is the board’s priority,” said Commissioner W. R. “Skip” Fischer. “While we have asked for a 5 percent across-the-board budget scaleback for 2010, we do not intend to institute furloughs or layoffs at this time. The proposed budget submitted by the elected officials and department heads already includes the elimination of 19.5 vacant positions. This move will help relieve the pressure on the general fund as we look for additional ways to trim back.”