Carrizozo Town Meeting

Carrizozo Town Newsletter July 15, 2017

Perspectives

It’s time for Carrizozo to look to its continued prosperity, and basic services are the order of the day. Current operations like water, sewer, pool, and airport do not receive enough revenue to pay for the services provided to residents and businesses. Losses have been significant and have been met by general fund monies earmarked for other essential services. There is simply no source for $198,252 in replacement revenues or viability when we overspend year in, year out. In addition, a number of these services like water and sewer are operating with crumbling infrastructure that is past due for replacement. Therefore, it is incumbent on Carrizozo to get its house in order so as to pursue continued funding for the street paving and airport, and new funding for sewer, water, and fire department over the longer term. Individually, citizens can support the water and sewer rate increases of $20 total per month just announced. Town government is looking to wastage, delinquency, and budget resolutions to shore up current sources of income, hidden losses, and expenses, as well as funding sources for the capital improvement projects. Thanks for your support!

Here are some economic insights that may help. Inflation - as costs go up at 3%/year, buying power drops to 97% of last year’s value or $.97 on a dollar. Inflation happens every year, so it has a large cumulative effect over time. This applies to labor, materials, supplies, and capital equipment used to serve the town. So, cost of living or inflation allowances each year must be a part of income and expense considerations just to maintain what we have. Fixed Costs – each town operation has a lot of fixed cost for equipment, electricity, and repairs as well as variable costs directly tied to how much service is delivered. If fixed costs are $100,000/yr and the customers for the service number 1000, then each pays $100/yr in fixed cost. If customers are only 500, then each pays $200/yr in fixed cost, and so on. Individual costs go up with declining population. This is informative for a small town that manages for growth or decline.

Town Council News The Town Council hosted the July 4th fireworks show this year. Town Council passed new or revised ordinances for Animal Control, Manufactured Homes, and Water. The water service was a topic of much discussion, including the town’s pursuit of resources to replace the plant in coming years. $5991.47 in matching funds was approved for Carrizozo Airport Improvements, of which FAA supports $101,000. A free swimming program for Carrizozo youth has been launched. Price increases were implemented for the first time in a long time for water and sewer operations. The Fire Department is recruiting new members.

Sewer Liners on the sanitary ponds are wearing out and need periodic replacement, often to the tune of $80,000 or more. The need for a new sewer system is a focus for the town.

Water June pumping was 10.3 million gallons, of which 25% (or approximately $16,489) was lost to leakage. Most water bills are now current. A price increase of $10 was implemented in July 2017. The need for a new water system is a focus for the town moving forward.

Garbage McBride transfer station is open for business; check in at town center before going.

Police June dispatch calls were 220, citations 85, case reports 10, animal shelter 1, code enforcement 1.

Parks & Recreation - School Kids Swim Free at Carrizozo Community Pool

Town Services In case you are not aware, the Town of Carrizozo has not increased utility rates since 2008, while the costs to operate and deliver utility services have continued to grow. Carrizozo needs to implement rate increases for water and sewer to continue dependably delivering the services you expect for the years to come. In addition, business like operations of town services contribute directly to the securing of grants and funds for further municipal improvements we all need.

A good measure of healthy water system operations to which we aspire can be local New Mexico towns. Carrizozo water rates are currently the lowest of any municipality of similar size and operation at .4 cents/gallon. Our comparable neighbors in Lincoln and Otero counties charge anywhere from .45cents/gallon to 1cent/gallon. Carrizozo water works alone has lost money each year for the past 4 out of 5 years to the tune of $ 198,252 and has consumed general funds earmarked for other purposes for the shortfall. In addition, the Carrizozo water works has been leaking over 50% of the water pumped. With exceptional attention from the town staff, this has been reduced to less than 25% as of June 2017. Regardless, the system is antiquated and requires extensive and expensive renovation the town alone cannot support, so supplemental resources for this are being pursued in parallel to augment our own town’s investment requirements.

Carrizozo sewer lines and plant need a complete overhaul, funds the town cannot muster alone, so supplemental resources for this are being pursued in parallel to augment our own town’s investment requirements.

Garbage collection by LCSWM remains competitively serviced and priced, and the McBride recycle station has just been opened the week of June 11th.

Rate Increase Effective 7/17/17, Carrizozo water rates will increase by $10 to $25.50 @4000 or $.0064/gallon and sewer rates will increase by $10/month. Most customers will see their bills go from $60 to $80 per month. It is only reasonable to expect that cost of capital increases (inflation) of 3%/year may be necessary in subsequent years.

We thank you for your understanding and patience with the implementation of this necessary measure.

Carrizozo Town Council

Happenings About Town  Chamber of Commerce, www.carrizozochamber.org, multiple civic and business development projects ongoing.  Carrizozo Works Inc, www.carrizozoworks.org, is looking forward to upcoming Carrizozo Festival, Aug 12-13, http://business.ruidosonow.com/events/details/carrizozo-festival-and-artists-studio-tour- 25793 .  Carrizozo Heritage Museum elected new board of directors. Open for business 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thur.-Sat., March thru Dec.  Otero Electric has surveyed the town for replacement of the electrical grid over the next 18 months.  Carrizozo Music, www.carrizozomusic.org, Lone Pinon, Chicano Stringband! Sunday, August 20, 5 PM  School Kids Swim Free at Carrizozo Community Pool (www.carrizozochamber.org) Thanks to the generous donations from the Carrizozo Chamber of Commerce, Otero Electric Co-op and private individuals, all Carrizozo school children can swim at the Carrizozo community pool this summer for free. Pool hours are Monday through Saturday from12 to 4 for kids. All pool rules still apply, and children must follow the rules as well as supervision of the lifeguards and staff. Adult Swimming (18 and over) is Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings from 5-6 PM for $3.50 per visit, or adults can get multi-day passes from Town Hall. You do not need to be a resident of Carrizozo to swim in our beautiful pool.

Applause  Carrizozo Garden Club, volunteers with Carrie Scott show off their regional gardening at Caboose Park, Sargent Park, and Spider Park. Kudos to the Green Thumbs!  Carrizozo Youth Sports, Meeting - Softball Report, Fundraising & Football, 8/2/17, 6:00 pm, 4 Winds Restaurant, CYS Board Members. Congrats Simon Beltran and Team!

Carrizozo Contacts  Carrizozo Volunteer Fire Department, Main Station 575-648-2261, Birch St. Station 575-648- 1161, [email protected]  Carrizozo Police Dept., 404 Central, 575-648-2351, [email protected]  City Hall, 400 9th St., 575-648-2371, [email protected] , www.townofcarrizozo.com

Feedback You are invited to attend Town Council meetings anytime. Your questions and comments can be forwarded to the Mayor and Trustees at 575-648-2371, [email protected]. Questions no later than the first Tuesday of the month will be answered at the Town Council Meeting the second Tuesday of the month.