December 13, 2012 A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourarvadanews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 8, Issue 29
Cash tight for county budget
PRANCING ALL THE WAY
Approved 2013 budget reflects decrease in revenues By Glenn Wallace
gwallace@ourcoloradonews.com The purse strings are tight in Jefferson County, as the county commissioners voted 2-0 to approve a $382.9 million budget for 2013. Commissioners Donald Rosier, District 3, and Faye Griffin, District 1, voted to approve the budget at the Dec. 4 board meeting. District 2 Commissioner John Odom was absent. The adopted 2013 budget — available at www.jeffco.us/budget — includes $3.1 million less in operating expenses than the 2012 budget. Those reductions mirror the roughly 1-percent reduction in projected tax revenue for the county. On the day of the budget’s adoption, County Budget Director Tina Caputo warned the two commissioners that she had just received the “December letter” from the county assessor’s office, indicating “an unanticipated slide,” revenues would be $157,257 lower than previously anticipated. The figure was expected to be close to $2 million. Back in October, the county’s budget office, in conjunction with Jeffco department heads, presented a $386.5 million budget, which relied on $24.5 million in reserve and operating fund transfers. In commission budget talks, commissioners made it plain that they would seek to reduce that figure, and cut that transfer figure down to $20.9 million. “We can’t continue to take at the rate we have been,” Rosier said. Only one member of the audience spoke during the budget approval hearing. Kathy Doyle of Golden criticized the county for not making it clearer to the public just how much money was being spent annually as part of the Jefferson Parkway Public Highway Authority. Caputo said the 2013 budget includes a floating $1.5 million allocation set aside to assist with the parkway. Virtually all staff increase requests were denied for 2013. The budget includes zero salary increases for county employees. Those employees will have their medical benefit costs rise 5 percent next year, of which the county will cover half. The Sheriff’s Office, the largest county department by expenditure and employee count, had its expenditure budget reduced from the draft budget by $500,000 as well as having several project requests being denied. The commissioners also set mill levy rates for unincorporated Jefferson County at the meeting, opting to keep rates steady by extending a temporary 1.6-mill reduction in place for at least another year. Rosier said that himself, “and the commissioners believe that now is not the time in this economic recession to increase taxes.”
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Stacy Grolnic dons a Santa hat while running in the Fa La La 5K to support Habitat for Humanity Saturday at Stenger Complex in Arvada. Photo by Andy Carpenean
Santa House opens doors for season Parents begin choosing presents for their children from hundreds of donations By Sara Van Cleve
svancleve@ourcoloradonews. com
W
ith less than two weeks until Christmas, the holiday shopping season is in full swing. Now in its seventh year, the Santa House will provide more than 2,900 children from 13 Arvada and two Wheat Ridge schools with free gifts this Christmas, helping out parents who are having financial difficulties. Families at the participating schools must qualify as low-income to receive a voucher and be able to choose presents from the Santa House.
Duane Youse works with checking in parents paperwork at Santa House in Arvada Dec. 4.
“It’s wonderful,” said Jeanne Griggs, who is volunteering at the Santa House with her husband, Dwight, for the third year. “Everybody is so appreciative. It gives you a nice feeling.” Santa House officially opened for clients Dec. 4 at noon and parents began lining up outside of the location, 9578 W. 58th Ave. at 8:30 a.m., said cofounder Duane Youse. Within the first hour and a half, 72 parents went to Santa House to choose gifts for their children, Youse said. “It’s nice to be able to have this,” said Nici Kenner of Arvada as she chose toys for her three daughters, 14, 9 and 1 and her son, 3. “Everything they’re doing is helpful, especially this time of year. I’m finding a lot of stuff they’d like. This is my first year, I didn’t know about it last year.” When parents come to Santa House, a volunteer guides them through, making sure each child they’re there for gets a coloring book and crayons, a book, a main present, a stuffed animal, a stocking stuffer and either a hat, scarf, pair of gloves or socks. The main presents include toy cars, basketballs, skateboards, Barbies, baby dolls and learning toys for babies and toddlers. Each family also receives a
Jean Liekhus sorts through toys prior to Santa House opening in Arvada Dec. 4. Photos by Andy Carpenean board game of their choice and up to two Christmas decorations. All of the toys and presents are provided through donations or are bought by volunteers through donated money. “When people need food, people donate; the same for presents,” said Youse, a former executive director for the Arvada Community Food Bank. “The same people who need help with food need help with presents this season. It lights up the eyes of kids. The parents love it and are thrilled to see them open their presents.”
The Santa House will be open to parents from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays Dec. 22. Donations are still needed to fulfill the need this season. Items appropriate for boys and girls from infancy to the age of 14 can be dropped off at Santa House, 9578 W. 58th Ave., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until Dec. 22. Toy donations must be new and unwrapped. Cash donations are accepted also. Checks can be mailed to Duane Youse, 6347 Deframe Way, Arvada, CO, 80004.