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City.,ii <br />Louisville <br />CST OR . Ai ri. � �TP <br />September 26, 2013 <br />Mayor Muckle and City Council: <br />Office oldie City Manager <br />As required by Section 11 -2 (b) of the City Charter, I am pleased to offer for your <br />consideration the proposed 2014 Annual Operating Budget and the 2014 -2018 Five - <br />Year Capital Improvements Plan. The unprecedented rains this year have challenged <br />the City by flooding homes and businesses, washing away bridges, destroying water <br />utility infrastructure, obliterating trails and severely damaging the golf course. But <br />throughout Louisville people are working together with City staff to recover and rebuild <br />even better than before the flood. <br />As I write this message we are still assessing the damage and do not have precise cost <br />estimates, nor do we yet know exactly what financial assistance will be available <br />through our insurance coverage and from the State and Federal governments. <br />Consequently, the funding proposed for rebuilding is intended as a rough approximation <br />of what is needed and meant to provide Council with options. It is, however, subject to <br />significant revision as we get more information in the weeks and months ahead and <br />when we have more precise estimates of costs and grants or reimbursements, staff will <br />propose a budget amendment if necessary. <br />Fortunately, the City is in good fiscal health. The current projection for 2013 General <br />Fund revenue, exclusive of interfund transfers, is 2.8% higher than 2012. The month of <br />July 2013 ended with sales tax revenue up 7.6% over July 2012, and YTD sales tax <br />revenue is 2.6% above budget. These resources, combined with the help we anticipate <br />from insurance, and the State and Federal governments, and with the energetic <br />teamwork, volunteer efforts, and support from friends and neighbors throughout the <br />City, will help Louisville recover and become better than ever. <br />In addition to maintaining the City's current level of service in all areas, the proposed <br />2014 Budget, if adopted by the City Council, would focus the anticipated revenue on <br />seven primary areas: <br />• Reconstructing flood damaged or destroyed infrastructure: <br />The Water System Intake on South Boulder Creek, which includes a <br />building, drop structure and equipment used to measure water rights, <br />sustained major damage from flood waters. This facility is an essential <br />component of the City's water utility infrastructure and must be reconstructed <br />as soon as possible. Staff is developing estimates of replacement cost and <br />likely insurance coverage and /or State or FEMA assistance. <br />County Road Bridge was destroyed by the floods. This bridge was an <br />important secondary route into downtown and it also provided a south access <br />to Highway 42 from Cherry/Bella Vista. It was used by over 3,000 cars per <br />1 <br />18 <br />