Demystifying city budget resolutions

After the start of every fiscal year, the City of Socorro considers and approves budget resolutions to help identify sources of additional revenue earmarked for specific purposes.

July 1 started the new fiscal year for the city, thus during the first meeting of July the council tackled and approved a series of 18 budget resolutions recommended by City Finance Director Ruby Lopez.

Budget resolutions are required when money is moved from the general fund budget or when state funds or grant money is received to cover certain items like capital outlay or specific projects. A signed resolution is reported to the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration as well as the Attorney General’s office.

As an example when the city received state funding for the Senior Center in the amount of $3,200, the money will be spent on funds for APR Congregate II salaries for $1,535 and special projects in the amount of $1,665.

Another example is the state grant revenue was received for the local fire department in the amount of $100,000. That money now is officially designated to the department’s capital outlay for a gurney purchase.

In the city’s Lodger’s Tax Fund, beginning cash revenue was $41,900. A budget resolution was needed to cover billboard expenses of $25,050, magazine ads of $625 and other administrative expenses of $16,225. The increase in the budget was needed to allow for the expenditures through June 30.

A transfer of $108,000 from the general fund to the Rodeo Areana Sports Complex also was a part of the budget resolutions to allow for expenditures through June 30. The money was used for telephone and utilities, repairs and system, building maintenance and other administrative expenses.

As part of the discussion on finances, City Clerk Polo Pineda and City Administrator Donald Monette credited City Finance Director Lopez for city’s most recent honor of having one of the “Best Municipal Audits” in the state.

The honor was announced by the Office of the State Auditor on July 29.

Lopez will be presented an award during the 67th New Mexico Municipal League Annual Conference in Clovis later this year.

In other business, the city:

• Awarded the bid to develop a plan for the Magdalena Mountain Trail to Applied Trails Research. They were among the three bids submitted. Other bids were received from Rock Solid Trail Contracting LLC and Avid Trails.

• Appointed Councilman Michael Olguin Jr. will represent the city of Socorro as its voting delegate at the annual conference of the New Mexico Municipal League.

• Installed Jason Padilla as the city’s Animal Control Officer.

•Approved a special use permit for Hanna Cooper, owner of property at 100 Spring Street, to allow for food trucks to operate at the corner of California and Spring Street.

• Condemned two properties in the city limits. One is located at 104 Pinon Street and the other is at 1100 Sean Street.

• Approved business registrations for 12 businesses operating within the city limits of Socorro. They include CB Power LLC, NM Gold LLC, AJ’s Professional Contracting LLC, US LBM Operating Company during business as RAKS Building Supply; Va Va Voom Beauty Boutique LLC, K12 by Elior (Socorro School District’s contract food service), Prohibition 37, Dani’s Fireworks, Loopita Fashion, The New Mexico Landscaping Co. and Socorro Trail Running Series LLC.