Mark Austin

The agenda for the public meeting and public hearing of the Board of Trustees included a presentation from CIRSA's Deputy Executive Director & General Counsel regarding "Workplace Conduct Issues for Elected Officials." The consent agenda covered the approval of minutes from previous meetings in December 2025 and January 2026, financial transactions for November and December 2025, and discussions and actions on Resolutions 2026-01, 2026-02, 2026-03, and 2026-04, relating to grant applications for the Local Planning Capacity Grant Program and the Energy Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant Program, an Intergovernmental Agreement with Mesa County for snowplow assistance, and the adoption of the 2026 Land Use Applications Fee Schedule. Other agenda items involved town manager reports, discussion on Wayfinding Signage, a drinking fountain in Gazebo Park, and bike trails. The public hearing section included deliberation and decision regarding Ordinance 559 to amend the 2026 Budget. An executive session was planned to discuss the possible sale of the Town's Sig Sauer P320 handguns, followed by a discussion regarding the retirement of guns.

The meeting included discussions on the 2026 budget, the Wild Horse statue repair, and the new dump truck for Public Works. The board discussed the Regional Opioid Board and the town's role in addressing the opioid crisis. Issues with the pickleball courts at the Mesa County Community Center, feral cat mitigation, and a regional hazard mitigation training were also addressed. Updates were provided on the Broadband project and funding for a secondary water source. The board approved Resolution 2025-20, appointing Mary Kramer to the Board of Trustees, and Resolution 2025-21 regarding Prop 123 grant funding. A letter of support for a county-wide outdoor recreation master plan was approved. The board also discussed a joint response to the community regarding a structure fire and approved Ordinance No 554, amending the sign code.

The meeting addressed community concerns regarding fire hydrant functionality and infrastructure, including questions about responsibility, action plans, and water bill relief. The board discussed transparency, communication, and investigation processes, as well as infrastructure upgrades, grant opportunities, and potential gentrification concerns. The town manager provided updates on hazard mitigation, upcoming meetings, business matters, and grant requests. The board also discussed and acted on resolutions related to non-discrimination statutes, grant applications for the De Beque River Park Project, and a sanitary sewer service waiver application. Deputy Marshal pay rates were also discussed.

The 2024 fiscal year budget for the Town of De Beque was prepared through professional staff collaboration under the direction of the Town Manager. The budget includes activities for the General Fund, such as Town Administration, Community Center, Town Marshal, Public Works, Municipal Court, Planning, Parks and Recreation, and Cemetery. The 2024 general fund budget holds 81% of all revenues and 81% of all expenditures. Revenues in 2024 are projected to be made up of 78% Tax Revenue, 13% Other, 0.12% Intergovernmental, and 9% Tax Exempt Revenue. Expenditures are projected to be comprised of 50% personnel, 33% operating expenses, and 17% capital projects. The Town saw a significant increase of 1000% in Investment/Interest revenue. The Town saw significant decreases of 33.5% in retail marijuana revenue and budgeted a 56% reduction in this year's budget. In FY-2024 the Town made the decision to reduce the Administration personnel budget from 5.42 FTE to 4.67 FTE. The Marshal Department added 1 full time FTE in 2023. 2024 Operating Expense and Capital Expenditures highlights include a drainage and sidewalk improvement project which has secured $325,000 in grant funding, as well as utilizing the unused portion of funds remaining in the Capital Improvement Fund. The Town will also be seeking additional grant funding to complete a Broadband Fiber Networking Project. 2024 grant awards include a project for town businesses to improve their store fronts with new signage and wayfaring opportunities. The town also hopes to look at 2024 grant funding opportunities to engage with the board of trustees and town residents to create an updated Master Plan. The enterprise funds consist of the town's utility services and are required to operate as business enterprises with tap fees and user rates paying for most capital expenses and operations. The Water Fund is close to completing the $300,000 design and engineering portion of the Water Improvement Project. In 2024 the construction portion of the new Water Plant will begin. The town has received $1,293,500 in grant funding to complete improvements to the wastewater treatment process with a completed and approved waiver for no matching requirement from the town. 2023 neared completion of the I-70 sewer bore project which was funded with grants awarded to fully fund the project by DOLA $425,000 and Mesa County ARPA $400,000. Grant funds bring a significant reduction of burden to the Water and Sewer funds operations and budgets. 2024 Capital Expenditures highlights include a drainage and sidewalk improvement project which has secured $325,000 in grant funding as well as capital funding from our General Fund. In 2023, $5,526,700.50 in grants were awarded to the Town of De Beque. As of February 2024, the Town of De Beque has applied for $489,750.00 more in grant funding that is pending award decision and has confirmed award in the amount of $41,000 for an OEDIT RTAP grant.

The meeting addressed concerns about livestock on private property and potential code violations, discussing possible changes to the municipal code. There was a presentation regarding the potential development of a semi-truck electric charging station, including considerations for annexation, traffic, and environmental impacts. The board also discussed issues related to a fallen horse statue, raccoon problems, and complaints about dogs at large. Updates were provided on various town projects, including mosquito spraying, repairs to the pickle ball court, staffing in the Marshal's Department, and the Comprehensive Plan. The board also addressed problems with water sample testing, concerns about the cemetery's appearance, and the status of the Broadband CNL project. Code enforcement updates were given, including progress on resolving issues with campers, weeds, junked vehicles, and animals. Finally, the board discussed and approved an ordinance amending the definition of a "dangerous animal."