On June 25, the Town Council adopted Patagonia’s budget for July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015, with little fanfare and no discussion among council members before the vote. The total cost of running Patagonia this coming year is $2,571,274, a two percent decrease from last year. The money comes primarily from local and state sales taxes; licenses and permit review fees; fines (mostly traffic violations); water, sewer, and garbage fees; state revenue sharing; state highway fund; federal grants; and a loan.
Changes in the 2015 budget include a reduction of one staff position, with the retirement of Arcenio De La Ossa, and modest salary increases for the remaining 10 employees. No raise was budgeted for Town Manager Dave Teel, although council members continue to be pleased with his performance. The town’s major water project, to be completed in 2015, will add a much needed second pipeline and includes system-wide changes to improve flows, equalize pressures, and add valves and hydrants. For this security and better performance, we have a 25 percent increase in water rates. The increase covers the debt service on the loan for the project.
The budget reflects the reduction in use of the Patagonia landfill. Most of the town’s garbage is now transported to Sonoita or Rio Rico. There is money carried over from 2014 to complete the grant-funded upgrades in the park. There is an increase in total hours for police coverage. One of the biggest bargains in the budget, according to Teel, is a $50,000 contract with the Patagonia Fire Department (a separate non-profit), which provides all fire and emergency services to the town.
To balance the budget, the council approved a $50,000 transfer of funds from reserves specifically to cover unfunded highway maintenance. The gap is the result of significant cuts in state highway funds over the past few years. Some of the state funding was actually restored this year, but not enough to cover costs.
When compared with other incorporated towns in Arizona with populations under 2,000, it appears that Patagonia residents have a pretty good deal. We have a full range of public services, including police and courts, fire, library, sewer, water, garbage, parks, road maintenance, animal control, and building permits and inspections. The number of paid town staff is less than average for small towns, and our salary levels are significantly lower than average for most positions, including our town manager, librarian, and sheriff. When you see town employees, thank them for their work!