December 3, 2008  Public Hearing on 2009 Budget

Public Hearing called to order at 7:05 p.m.

Discussion of budget:
To finish out 2008, we need to raise about $1500 from sale of equipment plus another $500 from individuals or corporations before the end of the year to come out even and in compliance.  No option for us to fail; the Board will donate money themselves if needed.  A 1993 GMC 1500 V-6 is for sale and will be advertised next week.  The ad for the Ford Ranger is already in the Shopper, and we will look at selling an old Grizzly fogger.

We were about $12,000 over budget this year.  Resolution was passed to adopt the revised 2008 budget.

2009 Proposed Budget:  Brings us back into compliance with state laws.  We will need to raise additional revenue of about $4400 (in sale of equipment and donations) to meet the budget.  This gives us some cushion if we get the money, but we are not required to raise it (in which case we will not spend it, either).  We must keep at least $3,898 (3% of last year's expenditures) in reserve throughout the year.  Kevin moved to adopt the resolution to adopt the 2009 budget, and the motion passed.

Resolution to appropriate sums of money passed.

Resolution to set the mill levy at 1.802 (according to Tabor calculation) passed.

Hearing adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

December 3 Board Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m.

Announcements:  Michael announced we have posted the operations manager job at several colleges and the Shopper.  We will look into posting an ad in the DCI; the Sentinel wanted to charge $300, which we decided not to pay.

Approval of October 8 minutes:  Tara read the minutes, which were approved by the Board.

Old Business:

   Robin and Kevin reported on visit with DMEA - They cannot donate funds as they would not be distributed within their whole district.  However, they have a grant program we could apply for, and they may be able to supply us with used equipment that they normally retire.  They may also be able to donate older 4WD pickups as well.  They have a meeting scheduled with a local mining company as well.

New Business:

Robin presented proposed policy on inclusion of property to the District.  Revisions include an entry fee of $600 (in the lower range of what other districts charge).  Kris asked about the provision to only refund 2/3 of the deposit if we voted not to include a property.  Robin said he added the refund - often not included in other districts' contracts.  Fee only applies to owner-initiated requests; the district can initiate inclusion (with owners' permission) if it's in the best interests of the district as a whole.  Kris and Michael suggested, and the Board agreed, that the money should be refunded in full.  Fee changed to $50 per acre up to a maximum of $600 (12 acres).

On Memorandum of Agreement, lawyer checked out stipulation that if an owner refused to mitigate a site the district could do it and charge them - seems legal, though it would be used only as a last resort and after extensive cooperative efforts to help the landowner make the necessary changes.  There is no way to "de-annex" a property without a vote of the entire district, so that is not an option.

Board voted to approve a letter of support for Mike Smolen, who is applying for an NSF grant.

Work session:  Thursday, Jan. 15 at 3:00p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.