Grand County Budget Update
Grand County’s government budget projections for 2017 could be in the black by years end with a projected surplus of over $100,000. In years passed, projections and year end actuals have had some discrepancies.  In 2016 the projection was $3.9million deficit and ended with a $400k surplus.

Grand County officials are taking it easy on the pencil sharpener this year as the last two years have chewed up more than a few Dixon number 2 pencils. Unpopular, hard work has brought a deficit based budget projection in line with actual needs and cost of business according to Kristen Manguso, Grand County Commissioner, District 3. “I am in favor of a Zero Balance budget.” We analyze the level of service and current spending then decide if we want to provide more or less of that service? One of the benfits of bringing the projection inline is, “We can actually give our employees a raise after several years without any pay increase”  

The county Road and Bridge Department is still the biggest budget liability and, one of the biggest contributors to the year end surplus as they cut spending, services and employees to help bring the county budget crisis into check. Currently, department heads are working on the 2018 budget and will present a plan in October.

 

Fraser Valley Rec District offers College Prep
Find the Best College for You! Begin exploring the criteria that are important to you in your college search – size, location, majors, and campus life. This class will utilize various online and written materials to help students discover schools that will be a good academic and social fit. Kate Walker is a Certified School Counselor through the Colorado Department of Education. She has 23 years of experience counseling in both public and private school settings. July 27 – August 10 at the Grand Park Community Rec Center.  4:00-5:30pm.
For more information or to register please visit fraservalleyrec.org or call (970)726-8968

Denver Water Proactive Vision?
Denver Water is asking for state permission to expand the uses of recycled water — to include flushing toilets in commercial buildings, washing cows and pigs at the National Western Stock Show, and irrigating crops such as marijuana.

This could increase the 80 or so big customers in metro Denver who already tap a 70-mile network of underground purple pipes carrying recycled water, cleaned to meet the drinking water standards that applied in the 1980s.

But state health officials aren’t sure it’s safe to allow wider use.

A  Denver Water plan calls for at least doubling the amount of recycled water the utility provides, beyond the current 2.6 billion gallons a year to more than 5.6 billion gallons by 2020 as reported by the Denver Post.

 

Catch a Taste of Summer
There will be a farmer’s market in the Mountain Parks Electric parking lot from 2-7 p.m. on Friday, July 21. There will be live music, fresh Colorado produce, baked goods, tamales, artists, crafts, food vendors and a beer garden. Produce will include peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans, pickles, squash, zucchini, and peppers. There will also be breads, jams, jellies and salsa. In addition, there will be live music and family fun.