Taos-area solid waste board approves February financials; staff explains large January transfer

The Taos-area solid waste board on Monday approved its February financial report after finance staff said a large January transfer to a debt service fund for cell replacement explained the month’s higher expenditures.

Finance Director Matoya presented the month’s summary, saying the board started with approximately $5.49 million in beginning cash and ended February with about $6.27 million. Matoya explained that a transfer from the operating fund to a debt service fund in January — made to ensure sufficient cash for debt service tied to a cell replacement project — inflated January expenditures compared with February.

"The $1.73 million included a transfer out to our debt service fund for the cell replacement," Matoya said, explaining the budget movement that produced the month-to-month difference.

Board members asked for clarifications about the expenditures and tonnage. Henry Hemphall, village administrator for Taos Ski Valley, asked why January spending was higher; Matoya reiterated the transfer explanation. When asked whether other municipalities were still sending refuse to the county landfill, Matoya said staff had not seen refuse activity from that region recently and that membership status was unclear.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the financials; the motion was seconded and passed by roll call.

The board did not adopt any new fiscal policy at the meeting; Matoya said staff will continue to refine reporting and provide details on line items as requested. The board also discussed the operational cost per ton and year-to-date tonnage as part of the presentation.

The report was approved and will be posted with the meeting minutes.