NORTH FORK TIMES
SURFACE CREEK NEWS
A PAT ON THE BACK
IN TIMES OF NEED
Hotchkiss chamber honors community contributors, B3
SPORTS
Food bank sustains Surface Creek families year-round, C1
DELTA COUNTY
PLAY ON
Paonia, Delta hit the road in quest for state football titles, B6-8 NOVEMBER 16, 2016 VOL. 133, NO. 46
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Voter turnout approaches 90% BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
It was nearly midnight before election officials in Delta County finished tallying ballots cast in the Nov. 8 election. Voter turnout started out strong and ended even stronger, with 143 residents registering to vote on Election Day. Rene Loy Maas, county elections supervisor, said 759 votes were cast in person at the three polling centers open for Election Day. “Some people had to wait in line,” Maas said, “but for the most part we were able to filter them through in 15 to 20 minutes.” Overall, voter turnout approached the “remarkable” level of 89 percent. Maas calculated that percentage by taking the number of active voters (19,661) and dividing by the number of ballots cast (17,490). The election database statewide went down briefly on Election Day, but Maas said the system was back up
and running in about 30 minutes. Orchard City voters also experienced a unique snafu when they went to govote colorado.com to check the status of their ballots. Ballots could only be found using the zip code of 81414; the zip codes for 81418 (Eckert) and 81410 (Austin) would not produce results. Maas said she is working to rectify that problem. Maas recognized county staff and election judges for their “exemplary dedication and determination. “Our county staff and election judges did an outstanding job on Election Day,” she said. “We certainly would not have had such a successful election without each and everyone of them.” The Colorado Secretary of State’s office broke down returned ballots by party affiliations. For Delta County, the top three were Democrats, 3,271; unaffiliated, 5002; and Republicans, 8,775. The ELECTION TO A3
Halftime tribute
Photo by Wayne Crick
During halftime of the Delta-Resurrection Christian playoff game at Panther Stadium, tribute was paid to the first responders from the Delta Police Department, Delta Fire Department, Delta County Ambulance District and Delta County Sheriff’s Office. Honorees included Officers Swope and Braslin from the DPD; Sgt. Luke Fedler, Deputy Daniel Abeyta and Deputy Anthony Jones from the sheriff’s office; Joanne Nako, Erin Paraham and Teresa Burt from the ambulance service; and firefighters Daniel Cano (chief), Kevin Valdez and Scott Myers. To the first responders and to the veterans in the crowd: “On behalf of the greater and united Delta Panther students and community, we dedicate this day and this game to you.”
Voters reject tax increase for ambulance BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
Voters in the Delta County Ambulance District voted down a proposed mill levy increase DCAD officials said is critical to maintaining coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The final tally was 6,163 for; 5,388 against, a difference of 775 votes. Board president Tom Huerkamp said the results are disappointing, but not unexpected. The ambulance district had asked voters for a property tax increase of 2.5 mills, which would have doubled the current property tax assessment. “The board has struggled with this issue for the last two and a half years,” said board president Tom Huerkamp. The board, staff members and consultants worked together to create a 10-year plan that not only maintains current 9-1-1 coverage, but also provides a structured plan for ambulance and medical equipment replacement, as well as a contingency fund. “I am disappointed that our community doesn’t realize that in their time of need, the first step in medical services will frequently be the ambulance and our staff,” Huerkamp said after the election. “Because of the rejection, we will be revising our budget for the coming year to try to make our revenues match our expenditures and while we haven’t finalized it, it’s probably going to involve reducing fulltime 24/7 staffing at our stations.” That means some hours
INDEX
Accent ........................... A4 Activities ......................A11 Agriculture .....................C4 Back Page ................... D8 Business ........................ A7 Church ........................... D4 Classifieds .................. D1-2 Editorial ......................... A2 Health & Fitness ........ A8-9 Legals ............................ D3 North Fork Times ........B1-5 Obituaries ....................A10 School Zone .................. A6 Sports ..........................B6-8 Surface Creek News ...C1-3 TV Listings ................. D5-6
of the day, EMTs could be placed on call, which could increase response times. “When our EMTs are on call, they get much lower pay than when they’re at the station,” Huerkamp said. “If they don’t get called out, we save a whole bunch of money on that shift.” Huerkamp said overtime may also be eliminated. The details are being worked out by a budget committee, which is tasked with trimming
nearly $190,000 from the 2017 budget. A draft will be reviewed by the entire board at its December meeting. “The bottom line is, we operate very efficiently as far as supplies, equipment, administration, all of that,” Huerkamp said. “It’s ridiculously small. Some 85 percent-plus of our total budget is payroll for staffing 24/7, 365. If people want to wait an extra 20-30 minutes for the ambulance, that’s where we
may be headed.” District manager Kirby Clock thanked all those who voted for the mill levy, and asked for input from those who voted against the measure. “We understand that tax increases are difficult, but believe that our ambulance service is a vital part of the community,” Clock said in a Facebook post. Clock said DCAD plans to go back to the voters at the
next opportunity. Huerkamp believes it’s a matter of sharing the district’s compelling story with more voters in the Delta-Surface Creek areas. He believes those who are armed with the facts recognize the need for additional funding to maintain the level of service currently provided by DCAD. “We support our community and will continue to provide quality emergency medical services,” Clock said.
City’s 2017 budget holds steady BY PAT SUNDERLAND Managing Editor
No increases in city utility rates are anticipated in the 2017 budget that’s currently being reviewed by the Delta City Council. Even better, no budget cuts are anticipated because sales tax revenues are holding steady. The city’s primary source of revenue is sales tax. The 2017 budget reflects an estimated sales tax increase of 1 percent over the actual 2016 total, which is currently running ahead of 2015 by 3.6 percent. Like many municipalities, the City of Delta has seen reductions in federal mineral lease fees and severance tax revenue. However, other general fund revenues, including sales tax revenue, came in higher than expected. The 3 percent sales tax is split equally among the general fund; citywide capital improvement fund; and the parks, recreation and golf fund. Each percent of sales
tax generates nearly $1.8 million. From the combined parks, recreation and golf fund, the golf course will receive $100,000 of the $1.8 million in anticipated revenue. Transfers from utility funds will continue to support golf course operations. At both the golf course and the recreation center, fees and rentals help offset operational costs. The bulk of the citywide capital improvement fund is dedicated to debt service for the alternate truck route. However, the city is bumping street maintenance/repairs by $100,000 to a total of $500,000. No specific projects will be identified until a master plan has been completed by the public works department in early 2017. The general fund covers most city operations. The general fund balance is expected to drop in 2017, 2018 and 2019, but will remain at a healthy level. All fund balances, with the exception of the
Meet chief candidates The City of Delta invites the public to a meet and greet event where the chief of police candidates will be introduced. This event will be held at the Bill Heddles Recreation Center on Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The candidates will make brief presentations about their backgrounds and qualifications to be selected as Delta’s next chief of police and they will be available to meet with the public. Kathy Drayer, HR generalist for the City of Delta, said a list of finalists will be released later this week. For more information, call Drayer at 874-7906.
golf course fund, are above 25 percent of annual expenses. Other highlights include: • The water fund is loaning $23,000 to the Delta Urban Renewal Authority to cover legal costs. Through an interagreement, governmental the loan will be repaid once DURA has established a reliable revenue stream. • Two other utility funds, sewer and refuse, support city contributions to Delta County Economic Development. • At Bill Heddles Recreation Center, child care will be eliminated. Director Wilma Erven said the service is very costly relative to the number of patrons served. • A fee increase at Devil’s Thumb Golf Course will be dedicated to bunker improvements, specifically sand, over a five-year period. Two tournaments are also planned as fundraisers for the sand traps. • Also at the golf course, a vendor has expressed interest in providing food/bever-
age services during the busy months. • Personnel levels will remain unchanged in 2017, although it’s expected the position of police chief will be filled with a permanent appointment. Charles Kettle is currently serving as interim police chief. • City employees will receive cost-of-living adjustments of 3 percent. • Memberships include Colorado Municipal League, $5,376; Club 20, $600; Delta Area Chamber of Commerce (presidential level), $1,500; and Region 10, $7,500. An additional $3,000 was provided in support of chamber programs. • Contributions are made to All Points Transit, $17,430; Delta Housing Authority rehabilitation program, $1,000; fireworks, $2,000; grad night, $300; and health fair, $585. • Capital construction projects budgeted for 2017 include CITY BUDGET TO A3
Countywide supply drive to benefit homeless
Think about all the supplies you use on a daily basis in your home: coffee and creamer, napkins, trash bags, cleaning supplies, and about a hundred others. This Saturday, Nov. 19, at various stores around Delta County, volunteers working with the Abraham Connection homeless shelter will be collecting these and other much-needed supplies to “stock the shelves” at the shelter. Volunteers will be at Don’s Market in Paonia; City Market in Hotchkiss; Cedaredge Food Town; and Walmart, Dollar Tree and Safeway in Delta. Volunteers will have cards that list the supplies needed on a daily basis at the shelter, including paper products, cleaning products, pantry supplies and personal items like deodorant, socks and lip balm. Volunteers will collect purchased supplies at each location from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. “If you are able to help by purchasing a few items, that would be wonderful,” said Cheryl Oeltjenbruns, board president of the shelter. “And if you’re not able at this time, please know that we appreciate your continued prayers and support for this community mission and for the people who come through our doors.” If you want to donate but are unable to on Nov. 19, please call the shelter at 970-773-8290 to arrange another time.