Budget hearing postponed due to special session

The Haxtun Town Council met Monday night, Dec. 4 in what turned out to be a quick meeting due to postponing the 2024 budget hearing and discussions because of a special legislative session called by Governor Jared Polis. Typically in early December the Council hosts the public hearing and passes the coming year’s budget and any necessary supplemental budgets but now, those processes have been set for Monday, Dec. 18. The Haxtun Town Council will have a special meeting on the 18th at 7 p.m. at the town hall to consider next year’s budget.

In a short list of action items, council members considered a resolution to raise water rates, a letter of support for Phillips County Economic Development, employee gifts and moving the January 2024 meeting date.

As the first item of business, the Council passed resolution 2023-7, increasing water rates within Haxtun’s city limits.

As of Jan. 1, 2024 all commercial and residential properties will see a $5 increase in water rates. This is the first water rate increase Haxtun residents have taken on since 2018, according to Town Clerk Kelsie Harms. In 2022, the Town of Haxtun raised electric and sanitation rates.

According to state-wide numbers, Haxtun’s water rates remain on the lower side for unmetered water. Recent water tower repairs and an upcoming lead and copper project are just several reasons for the recent raise in water rates. To view the water rate increase resolution in its entirety, visit the Town’s website at https://townofhaxtun.colorado.gov.

Later, in his Superintendent’s report, Ron Carpenter touched on the lead and copper project. The Town of Haxtun is required by the State to inventory all 576 service lines for lead and copper. That project must be complete in 2024. In doing so, Carpenter said the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment will help survey and review maps to take a complete inventory of the more than 500 service lines in Haxtun’s city limits.

In other business:

• The Council agreed to write a letter of support for Phillips County Economic Development for a Community Business Preservation Program;

• Council members tabled a title commitment for the property located at 205 South Colorado Avenue to review numbers on required paperwork;

• The Council agreed to Christmas gifts for full- and part-time employees, which will be distributed during a luncheon this week;

• Council members agreed to set the January meeting for Tuesday the 2nd, 2024;

• Carpenter said the trench has been dug near the pool for electric and phone lines. VAP will be out to finish the spray foam soon and then plumbing can go in and the building can be finished;

• Kelly Elwood, local business owner, again approached the Council about the closing of the alleyway behind Haxtun Health’s clinic construction site on Colorado Avenue. Last month, he said the closure makes it difficult for his business to receive deliveries and creates a safety concern. The Council said Haxtun Health plans to complete the project in 2024 and then the alleyway will open back up.