With seven months of the year behind them, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners received the monthly financial report and again heard that, while many funds are at expected levels, others continue to be of concern.

County Finance Director Diane Sorensen presented the numbers.

Following is the status of the county’s major funds, as well as comparisons to the 2009 actual amounts and the 2010 budget.

Revenues and expenditures are expected to be at about 58 percent of budgeted totals.

General Fund

• Total revenues within the General Fund have increased 8 percent over 2009 and are at 74 percent of the 2010 budget.

Property tax revenues showed the most significant increase, due to the increase in assessed valuations. The tax revenue has shown an increase of 17 percent over 2009 and is at 89 percent of the 2010 budget.

The second largest increase in revenue is in fleet management charges for services, which increased over $150,000 and is at 73 percent of the budget.

Treasurer’s fees have increased 12 percent over 2009, bringing their level to 93 percent of the 2010 budget. These fees, too, are related to the increase in property taxes collected.

Other revenue sources decreased in 2010, with Specific Ownership Tax, collected on vehicle registrations, decreasing $52,600 or 22 percent from 2009.

Additionally, interest revenue has decreased 71.5 percent from 2009, leaving it at only 13 percent of the budgeted amount for 2010.

• Overall in the General Fund, revenues have exceeded expenditures by $2.6 million — a 42-percent improvement over 2009.

The fund is expected to even out over the remainder of 2010 since property taxes (approximately 50 percent of the fund’s revenue) are collected in the first six months of the year, while expenses are incurred throughout the year.

• Expenditures, however, continue to be below budgeted amounts, at 53.5 percent of the 2010 budget through July 31.

Sorensen said this means actual expenditures are at 4.5 percent below expected amounts.

1A Fund

• Overall, revenues exceeded expenditures by about $592,800; last year, revenues exceeded expenditures by $363,800.

• Revenues in the fund have increased 23 percent compared to 2009 due to the increase in property tax revenues.

• Expenditures have increased 2.8 percent over 2009 thus far in 2010, but sit at only 27 percent of the budget. However, 1A funds are expended with relation to projects and not evenly throughout the year.

Road and Bridge Fund

• Through the first seven months of 2010, revenues exceeded expenditures by $15,000. In 2009, expenditures exceeded revenues by $104,700.

• Revenues for the fund are at 60 percent of the expected amount, a 10-percent increase over 2009. The majority of the increase is due to HUTF FASTER payments, which began in July 2009.

• Expenditures have increased over 2009 by 2 percent or $36,000 and are at 61 percent of the 2010 budget.

The largest increase in expenditures over 2009’s actual numbers were for gravel and fleet management charges, at $151,500 and $92,600, respectively.

Public Works Director Ken Feyen said the increase in expenses are due to fuel costs increasing 26 percent over 2009 and the maintenance cost of an aging fleet.

Feyen said the process is gradual to replace or rebuild the older pieces of equipment within the fleet of 50-55.

RCI Fund

• Expenditures in the Road Capital Improvement Fund so far in 2010 have exceeded revenues by $418,700.

Sorensen said the shortfall was the result of the decrease in sales tax revenues and the start of the 2010 paving project that includes Handicap and Aspenglow avenues and Carlee Place.

Despite the shortfall, expenditures in the fund are down 76 percent from 2009 and are at 27 percent of the 2010 budget because the funds, like 1A, are expended in relation to projects.

Solid Waste

• The Solid Waste and landfill fund continues to be an area of concern for the county, with expenses exceeding revenues by $36,000. In 2009, expenses exceeded revenues by $26,000.

• Revenues are down $61,600 (18 percent) compared to 2009 and are at only 46 percent of the budgeted amount for 2010 due to a decrease in collected fees.

• While revenues are falling, so are expenditures for the fund, at $52,000 (14.5 percent) lower than 2009 and 52 percent of 2010’s budget.

Feyen said that two resignations in the department have helped lower expenses and should come close to making up the difference in revenue lost.

Airport Fund

• Overall in the Airport Fund in 2010, expenses have exceeded revenues by $230,400. For the same period in 2009, expenses exceeded revenues by $35,800.

• Total revenues within the fund are down $578,000 or 50 percent from 2009 and sit at 60 percent of this year’s budget. Sorensen said the change is related to federal grant funding received for projects completed in 2009.

• Expenditures have also decreased 32.5 percent compared to 2009 and are at 82.7 percent of this year’s budget. The decline is also related to the federal project funding.

With 2010 rapidly disappearing, Archuleta County will soon delve head-first into the budgeting process for 2011.

randi@pagosasun.com