Candidate for
Member, City Council; City of Trinidad

Trinidad has experienced frightening changes since I last served on the City Council. The present Council terminated a citizen's financial committee after the committee told the Council that it could not spend money it did not have. We need to reestablish the financial committee, appoint a city treasurer, and insist upon timely and solid financial reporting.

From fiscal year 1998-99 to fiscal year 2003-04 the general fund balance was as follows: June 1999: $192,000, June 2000: $97,000, June 2001: $108,000, June 2002: $64,000, June 2003: $45,000 and June 2004: $180,000.

The $180,000 balance is misleading because included in that number is the sale of city property in the amount of $128,000. Without this one-time sale of property, the general fund balance would be $52,000. From 2002 to June 2004, the city "borrowed" a total of $82,000 from the water fund (a proprietary fund) to subsidize the general fund.

Many residents were convinced that Trinidad was in financial trouble by 2002. Ignoring early warnings from concerned citizens, the City Council didn't get serious about the problem until almost two years later. A highly controversial one percent sales tax increase, passed by a small margin, was levied to cover financial problems the Council itself created. Our water rates have increased dramatically since this council has been in office. In the history of Trinidad, selling off city property and "borrowing" money from the water fund has never been done. This is a band-aid approach, not a solution.

There was an attempt to close a city trail and give city property away. The court ordered the reopening of the trail and prohibited the giveaway.

As a member of the council, I will fight for responsible spending, reasonable water rates and protection of city trails and property. I will also encourage residents to get involved and attend council meetings. I will listen to my neighbors' concerns and opinions.