Adjustments include $115K for the Fox Run Golf Course
The Gallup City Council unanimously passed a slew of budget adjustments at its Aug. 9 regular meeting.
Jon DeYoung, assistant to the city manager, first introduced a matter pertaining to the Na’nizhoozi Center, Inc. detox facility. That was followed by a litany of adjustment requests. DeYoung noted that the detox adjustment was to cover the cost of utilities and building maintenance at the Boyd Avenue facility.
“The existing utility budget will be increased by $9,600 and an increase for building maintenance will be $36,000,” DeYoung explained.
Gallup Chief Finance Officer Patricia Holland later said the end result is a $45,600 increase. A cash reserve fund would cover the increase, she told council members.
“Will this cover utilities until the end of June [2017]?” Councilor Allan Landavazo asked. Both DeYoung and Holland replied yes.
DeYoung explained that there was no grant funding for the Youth Conservation Corps. The $149,875 budget adjustment will take into consideration grant revenue and expenditures, as well as allow for a McKinley County contribution to expenses directly related to the scope of work for projects.
• A NEW FIRE TRUCK
The council approved a budget adjustment for the $998,000 purchase of an aerial platform fire truck. The truck would be kept at Gallup Fire Dept. Station No. 1 at 1800 S. Second St., GFD Chief Eric Babcock said.
• MUNICIPAL COURT
A $75,000 budget adjustment related to the municipal court was unanimously approved by council members.
Holland explained that a fund used to submit fines and fees to the state was not funded for the fiscal year.
“This is normally budgeted during the regular process, but was left out this year,” Holland said. “We are required to submit the payments on a monthly basis and a budget is required to submit the payments.”
• GOLF COURSE WOES
A budget adjustment for the Fox Run Golf Course was unanimously approved. The budget for course operations lacks proper funding, so a total of $115,000 is needed to cover unfunded items like sand, fertilizer, inventory for the pro shop, equipment rentals, and professional contracts.
“There are some things that need funding as we move forward,” golf course intern Maxwell Johnson of New Mexico State University told council members.
Golf course construction will be completed by the end of the fiscal year.
Mayor Jackie McKinney, who was a member of the golf team while at Gallup High School years ago, said the overall goal at Fox run is “green grass.”
The Fox Run Golf Course has been the root of much consternation around Gallup. While players have complained about spotty grass, dirt spots, and a poorly kept driving range, these now show tremendous improvement, Johnson said.
The state awarded the city $285,000 to purchase and equip police vehicles, Holland told council members.
“We are requesting approval to budget this funding to move forward with the purchase,” she said.
• BEAUTIFICATION GRANT
City Manager Maryann Ustick told the council that, in cooperation with the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, the city’s Business Improvement District, the Gallup Arts Council, the McKinley County Recycling Coalition, and the MainStreet Arts and Cultural District submitted an application to the state Tourism Department for a $25,580 beautification grant.
Ustick said the state Tourism Department informed the city that an award of $20,000 was in the works, as the total amount requested statewide was not equal to what is available.
She also said the purpose of the grant is to transform the walkway between Coal and Aztec avenues into a clean and more pedestrian-friendly social gathering locale. This would involve the removal of litter and graffiti and the creation of murals, lighting, and recycling bins. The council approved a budget adjustment for the grant.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
