by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG-Huerfano County Administrator, John Galusha presented the County Commissioners with the preliminary budget for 2010. The total budget is $10,411,000, approximately the same as for 2009. Road and bridge will see an increase of around $230,000. The overall fund balance for the County will be good with an increase from $598,000 to just over $800,000. That is still under the three months of operation padding that is recommended but is a step in the right direction. A public input hearing will be set in the near future for any questions about the budget. Galusha praised elected officials on the great job they have done in holding the line on expenses for both this year and next.
The County Commissioners voted to approve Deanna Oberheu to a three year term on the Spanish Peaks Library District Board. Jerry Skrzynear was re-appointed to a three year term.
Commissioner Roger Cain announced that the Gardner Fire District is getting some new fire equipment for the fire department on a 50-50 matching grant from the Department of Local Affairs.
County Clerk, Judy Benine said ballots for the upcoming election are slated to go out by next Monday but might go out as early as this Friday. This year’s election will be a mail-in ballot only. The County has the 1% sales tax issue for dispatch services and asking voters to eliminate the term limits for County Commissioners on the ballot, while the City of Walsenburg has elections for Mayor and City Council seats.
