Colfax County approves $60,000 mid-year budget adjustment; solid-waste revenue shortfall prompts rate discussion

Colfax County commissioners approved mid-year budget adjustments intended to correct several overages, with finance staff citing a roughly $60,000 net increase needed to reflect current spending and staffing patterns.

Finance staff told the commission that group health insurance participation is tracking about 5.6 higher than budget forecasts and is the largest driver of the proposed $60,000 adjustment. Other items in the adjustment included modest overtime and payroll corrections and a reallocation for an employee who splits time between maintenance and the lodgers tax fund.

The meeting also included discussion of solid-waste finances. County staff recommended a 7% rate increase as an inflation adjustment after noting that a 40% increase took effect in May 2024 and collections have lagged projected revenue. Staff said the county is intensifying collection efforts, including enforcing liens, and may consider a transfer from an environmental fund if needed. A commissioner urged the county to exhaust the environmental tax fund before raising rates charged to the public.

No formal vote on a rate increase was recorded at the meeting; the commission approved the budget adjustments by roll call. Staff said they will monitor March billing and consider changes to billing timing to improve budget forecasting.

Next steps include continued monitoring of solid-waste collections and potential transfers and the county’s internal follow-up on the budget changes.