News
School District Scrambling for Drivers

Bus Routes Into City Integrated Into One

Boy's Chances Look Good, Dad Says

All Bogged Down in an N.M. Cliché

Old Timer's Day Music Festival Is on Tap

Students Take a Crack at News Biz

New Catholic School To Open

Water Company Scrutinized

It's Time To Get Wild!

Moriarty Seeking Sewer Funding

More
News

HOME	CLASSIFIEDS	OBITUARIES	SPORTS	OPINION

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Budget Crunch May Cut Events

By Lee Ross
Mountain View Telegraph
      According to some residents, the town of Edgewood's budgeting process may put some local events on the chopping block.
       The town formed a partnership with Wildlife West Nature Park and put $2,756 toward the park's Wind Festival and Green Energy Fair, held May 3 and 4. In years past it has also sponsored events such as the Bluegrass Festival — which is now called the Music Festival — and the Route 66 Run, Rally & Rock.
       Several people have spoken at Town Council meetings to voice their support for the events.
       “The council has been looking carefully at everything,” Edgewood Mayor Robert Stearley said, noting several cuts to the hours of some staff and others employed by the town. “We cut our budget for attorneys. … We cut our budget for code enforcement. Those are significant.”
       The council was scheduled to discuss the town's plans for parks and recreation Saturday but didn't get to the issue. The final budget meeting was scheduled Wednesday, after press time.
       “We spent over an hour with the chief discussing the operation of the Police Department,” Stearley said.
       Chief of Police Paul Welch presented possible configurations for scheduling five, six or seven officers to patrol the town.
       According to the town's estimate, each full-time officer will cost the town $80,000 a year. That estimate includes salary, benefits and other recurring expenses, such as overtime for appearing in court to testify, the cost of running a vehicle, training and even the periodic new uniform.
       “It turns out those uniforms don't stay looking nice unless they're replaced,” Stearley joked.
       At the time of the interview, the town's take of the gross receipts tax from the Edgewood Wal-Mart was unknown, although Stearley said he did have a conversation with James Torres, the store's general manager, when they both happened to be at the McDonald's inside the Wal-Mart. He said the conversation was not all that useful for budgeting purposes.
       “Last week was a very good week for them,” Stearley said, recounting what he'd learned.
       He added that he didn't expect too much information, anyhow.
       “No one can give us (those figures) because, like any other business, they pay their gross receipts tax to the state,” he said. “All the town can do, of course, is use the numbers as we get the money.”
   

---