Desert Messenger

April 19, 2023 www.DesertMessenger.com 15 SEE COUNCIL PAGE 16 Council working on budget COUNCIL RECAP Town of Quartzsite Town Council held a budget workshop on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 9:00 am at the Community Center. There was a review and discus- sion of the General Plan and an update of the strategic plan. Town Manager Jim Ferguson be- gan the session explaining the goals for this week's budget workshops in- cluding 1) Review of the 2014 Gen- eral Plan; 2) Future Goals; 3) Survey Input; 4) SWOT (Strengths, Weak- nesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis; 5) Mission Statement Cliff O'Neill with Trebol Consult- ing provided insight on the 2014 General Plan and the four elements required: Land Use, Transporta- tion, Water Resources and Eco- nomic Development Growth which were the primary focus of the 2014 General Plan. Council members dis- cussed the accomplishments they've had with the 2014 General Plan and provided impactful answers to the analysis questions concerning the Town's strengths, weaknesses, op- portunities and threats. On Wednesday, March 22, 2023 Town of Quartzsite Council held a budget workshop which started at 9:00am at the Community Center. Department discussions included Facility Maintenance; HURF (High- way User Revenue Fund), Water, Wastewater, Parks, and Capital Projects. Deputy Manager provided an overview on the Account Revenue and Expenditures, Grants and Capital Projects Account Revenues and Expenditures, and the Revenue Budget FY 2023-24. They are cur- rently working on estimated year- end and projections for the coming fiscal year. The figures reflected are from the end of February, which is 67% of the fiscal year. For the Ac- count Revenue and Expenditures, they are at 52% revenues and 51% expenditures. For Grants and Capi- tal Projects Accounts Revenues and Expenditures, they are at 1% for both revenues and expenditures. In the Revenue Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 they are at 66% of the ad- opted budget. On Thursday, March 23, 2023 Town of Quartzsite Council held a budget workshop at 9:00 am in the Community Center. Depart- ment discussions included Mayor and Council, Legal, Town Manager, Administration, Finance, Police, Economic Development, Court, Community Development, Library, Community Center Services, Tran- sit, Contingency, and Grants. Deputy Manager Kiki Tunnell be- gan the workshop with the Mayor and Council Budget. Vice Mayor Goldberg inquired about getting uniforms with the Town logo to identify members as part of the council. Members agreed to add the uniform and pins to the budget. The Legal Services budget includes general council, prosecutor, and special council services. The Town Manager budget was raised mini- mally to accommodate price in- creases in gas, publications, dues, training and VISTA. Vice Mayor Goldberg spoke about joining the La Paz Regional Tour- ism team and forming a DMO (Des- ignated Marketing Organization) which has applied for the Arizona Department of Tourism grant. This grant helped the areas of Quartzsite, Salome, Cibola, Bouse, and Eh- renberg. Goldberg said, "We were granted $27,000." She said they requested $15,000 for lighting and rest for four different copy changes to the billboard on I-10. She said, "The money must be spent by Sep- tember 16th. We missed a couple of deadlines due to not getting our message together." The Town will have to put up the electricity and a 10% grant. There was an agree- ment that the billboard would not promote one business or have any religion theme. Town Clerk budget incurred changes in printing and advertis- ing, as well as elections due to the expenditure limitation IGA and a petition for referendum. Postage was left blank to see how many communications will be sent out to registered voters. They should have an estimated amount for the April 19th budget workshop. Trav- el, meeting, and training included amounts to cover Spring Best Prac- tices, ACMA training, and elections training. Discussion was had about maybe having an additional person also take the elections training as backup. The Administration services budget would like to purchase vendor clerks uniforms for when they are out in the field. Council Member Warner asked about Casslee software and if we may investigate finding a dif- ferent software provider. Council Member Rosner asked about our town website dues and possible searching for a different provider. The finance budget has some changes including new postage fees and possible new bank institution fees. Police services budget decreased the uniform allowance due to hav- ing vests already available. Gas and oil, vehicle maintenance categories were raised due to the vehicles be- ing older and needing more main- tenance. Weapons purchase, repair, and ammo were raised due to the increase prince of ammo. No change in radio maintenance. Travel meet- ings and training was reduced due to receving training yearly and in- house. Printing and advertising, dues subscription and leases, lab equipment and supplies, and small tools and equipment were all re- duced. Capital outlay was raised and this will be a new vehicle with completely outfitted. K-9 expense was completely removed. Polygraph and medical was reduced due to us- ing Mohave County Services. Chief Romo explained that there are three positions open. Economic Development budget re- mained the same. Courts budget uniform allowance, printing and advertising, other services, postage, travel, meeting and training, dues and subscrip- tions, small tools and equipment all stayed the same. Accounting and audit and equipment repair was re- moved. Outside service providers has gone up which includes conflict attorneys and a deaf interpreter if needed. The lease rental went up because the least agreement with the supreme court has gone up. Any improvements or security threats are covered in the JCEP grant. Community Development budget uniform allowance and other sup- plies was decreased. Gas and oil, vehicle maintenance, printing and advertising, dues and subscriptions remained the same. Outside pro- vider consultants was increased to include Willdan Engineering and other consultants for the General Plan. Postage was left blank because of the General Plan. They increased travel, meetings and training to ac- commodate additional CD's for cer- tification. Library budget remained the same. Donna said she would like to see a larger library in the winter. They are running out of room for people to sit and study. Vice Mayor Goldberg asked what the average child count is. Donna replied it was 12. Council Member BearCat stated that the in- ternet bandwidth is overwhelmed in the library during the winter season. Should there be something added to increase the internet bandwidth? Devyn Rosner concurred the library be expanded. Community Center Services bud- get uniform allowance, gas and oil, printing and advertising, travel, meetings, and training, dues, sub- scriptions, and licenses, snacks, games, learning tools, and crafts remain the same. Community pro- grams was raised to include activi- ties for all ages. Vehicle maintenance increased to include tires. Other ser- vices decreased and that was added to equipment and maintenance. Town promotion was raised to in- clude more holiday events. Small tools and equipment went up to include a computer. Furniture and fixates also was increased to include shelving and room dividers. Jewell shared her vision of having the community center be utilized

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