City tackles water issues<br>Final budget approved, tax increase OK’d

City officials could move a step closer to resolving water issues next week.

Dennis Dalbeck, city manager, announced last week negotiations with the Havasupai Indian Tribe are progressing. At Thursday’s Williams City Council meeting Dalbeck said a July 30 meeting has been set up for Mayor Ken Edes and himself to meet with representatives of the tribe in the Grand Canyon. Augustine Hanna, tribal chairman, and Matthew Pretesoi, tribal vice-chair will be present at the meeting. The topic of discussion will be a memorandum of agreement needed to finalize the permanent use permit with the Forest Service allowing the City of Williams to operate Dogtown Well No. 1. Until that agreement is reached, the well, which produces about 240 gallons per minute, is on a temporary use permit.

Dalbeck also announced a rental generator and fuel tank have been ordered for the well, which should be in operation this week.

“While the reservoirs were full and with the Rodeo Ground Well online, the city quit pumping at Dogtown No. 1, but will now resume,” he said. “The anticipated expense will be around $1,400 per day to operate the well because of the generator, fuel tank, fuel and upkeep provided by city crews.”

The city has opted to delay installation of permanent electricity at the site, anticipated to cost $300,000, until a permanent use permit is obtained.

Currently, city reservoirs are at 34 percent capacity.

Dalbeck also said a bid should be awarded this Friday to cover pulling the pump at the Rodeo Well for needed repairs. In mid-June, the city shut off the pump motor due to mechanical problems, which are likely to be covered by warranty.

Budget approval

The city’s budget in the upcoming year will be $3 million leaner than this year’s.

Council gave unanimous approval to the final budget of $15,579,012 for fiscal year (FY) 2001-02 down from $18,846,000 adopted a year ago. Council gave preliminary approval to this same amount at its June 14 meeting.

Prior to last week’s meeting, Joe Duffy, city finance director/assistant city manager, said no major capital expenditures will be coming out of the new budget.

“The largest expense this upcoming year, beside normal capital equipment replacement, is a potable water package plant costing between $350,000 to $450,000 depending on its size, engineering costs and the type of building needed,” he said.

In FY 2000-01, he pointed out the city spent $3 million for well drilling and $1,457,000 on the Williams Aquatic Center, which includes $542,500 in grant funding.

Duffy also said the city spent another $3 million on well development in FY 1999-2000 as well as $5 million to cover mandated sewer improvements in FY 1998-99.

Tax rates

During budget discussions in May, city council agreed to keep the primary property tax rate the same as last year. Doing so, will add $12,668 in revenues to the budget resulting from increases in property values. The city’s total tax levy amount for FY 2001-02 will be $311,193.

“The city is keeping the tax rate the same at 1.2573 per $100,000 of assessed valuation,” Duffy said. “If the assessed valuation on a $100,000 property goes up to $110,000, the owner’s total tax increase will be $12.57.”

For the past three fiscal years, he said, the city has decreased its property rate from 1.3880 to 1.2573.

“Under that scenario, as evaluations went up, the actual tax paid remained the same for the average taxpayer,” Duffy said. “Because of how tight the budget is this year, we were not in a position to reduce property tax rates.”

Other action

Also at the meeting, city council:

• Approved a bid award of $27,275 to Barbie Drilling of Williams for a block and wrought iron fence around the pool complex. Barbie Drilling was the sole bidder on the project.

Dennis Dalbeck, city manager, said he anticipates this project will get underway in 10 days and will include fence extending from the pool driveway to the east end of the recreation center as well as fence and patio areas outside the two retractable doors on the east side of the pool building. Another section of fence will be installed east of the skate park to enclose the pool/recreation complex.

“Future plans for the property between the pool and skate park include a basketball court and possibly a gazebo,” Dalbeck said.

• Accepted a $10,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service grant to study local businesses to formulate a business plan.

• Presented a 10-year employee recognition plaque to Alden Gene Shores, city shop toolman and preventative maintenance mechanic.

Dale Perkins, councilmember, was not present at the meeting because of a prior scheduled work commitment.