ADMINISTRATOR’S MONTHLY UPDATE
for the TOWN BOARD OF TRUSTEES and the MANCOS COMMUNITY
December 2016
This Monthly Update is a supplemental report for inclusion in the Town Board of Trustees agenda packet, distributing to the community, and for posting on the Town website. It is for informational purposes. Items herein may or may not warrant Board of Trustees discussion, and do not require action unless noted on the meeting agenda.
TOWN SNOW REMOVAL PLAN
The town has a snow removal and storage plan that it utilizes during snow events to prioritize plowing. The goal is to attend to the major travel routes first, then secondary or neighborhood streets, and finally, alleys and parking lots. CDOT clears the major routes through town such as Grand Ave. (160 Business Route), Highway 160 and Highway 184/Main Street. Residents can help with these efforts by keeping vehicles parked off-street and on their property to allow plows to complete a thorough pass of the roads. As a reminder, it is the adjacent property owner’s responsibility to keep sidewalks clear.
REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
The town is seeking professional services firms for two different needs. First, the town is seeking a professional fiber optic planning consultant or firm to assist the community in planning for new fiber infrastructure within town limits. This contract would be utilized on an as-needed basis. Proposals are due to the town by December 15. Second, the town is seeking professionals with experience in performing building inspections and related duties to serve the town. The selected individual or firm must be ICC certified and have experience in residential and commercial inspections. Proposals are due to the town by December 30. For further information on both RFPs, please visit the section on the town web site “Job Openings and Bid Opportunities” at www.mancoscolorado.com.
BUSINESS LICENSE AND DOG LICENSE REMINDERS FOR 2017
As a friendly reminder, annual business licenses are due for renewal for the upcoming year. Any business within town limits, regardless of whether it is within a home or commercial district, shall have an updated business license for the year. The cost for a business license is $30.00 per year. All dogs over six months of age are required to have a town license and to wear the tag. By registering your animal, it ensures that the Mancos Marshal’s Office can locate you if your pet gets loose. Proof of rabies vaccination is required. The cost for the annual dog license is $15.00 for neutered/spayed dogs and $20.00 for unaltered dogs. To register your dog, please contact Town Hall.
TOWN CONSIDERS FEE CHANGES FOR 2017
On an annual basis, town staff and elected officials review the various fees that the town charges for utilities and other services. In 2014, a comprehensive water rates study was completed by a consulting engineering firm, which determined that the town was charging less than comparative communities and was not keeping pace with the costs of regular operations and capital infrastructure needs. Based on these recommendations, the town adopted a water rates plan, which set out that every year the town would increase water rates by $2.50 through 2018. Therefore, staff is recommending that the water rates for 2017 be increased from $36.72 to $39.22 for residential customers. No change to sewer rates is recommended at this time. In addition, staff recommends that the tap fees be increased as in years past to reflect the Consumer Price Index, or inflationary increase, by 2.7%. This would bring the new water and sewer tap fees to $5,390 in 2017. There are no other changes recommended at this time to other fees.
