Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Financial Report topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves December financials; discussion focuses on compactor replacement and transfers
Summary
The board approved December financial reports showing December expenditures and transfers and year-to-date tonnage; members discussed purchasing or leasing a larger compactor (estimated $800,000–$1.3M) to improve compaction and extend cell life and asked staff to return with lease-cost estimates.
The landfill board approved the December financial reports after a presentation by finance director Jonathan Montoya.
Jonathan Montoya, finance director for the Town of Taos, reported December revenues of about $339,005 and total December expenditures and transfers of $198,047.35. He said December tonnage was 2,572.12 with an average daily tonnage of about 98.93 for the month and a December average cost per ton of about $77; year-to-date tonnage through December was reported at 17,008.13 and a year-to-date average cost per ton of $44.89. "Our total cash and investments ending balance of $6,118,007.94 across all funds," Montoya said when summarizing the quarter.
After the presentation, Mark Flores moved to approve the financial reports as presented; Village of Cuesta seconded and the measure passed on roll call.
Several board members raised concerns about compaction at the landfill and whether a larger compactor could extend the life of the active cell. Reynold Vasquez said the ideal compactor would cost about $1,000,000 to $1,300,000, with a smaller option around $800,000. He said leasing might be possible but dealer support in New Mexico is limited and lead time for custom Caterpillar landfill machines is roughly a year. "We could probably talk to Wagner and the lawyer and find out if we can lease this machine," Vasquez said. Members asked staff to obtain lease-cost estimates and include a compactor discussion on the next meeting agenda.
Board members also noted transfers included in the quarter to the cell-closure fund, cell-replacement fund and equipment replacement fund totaling $130,500. The board thanked Montoya for the detailed reporting and approved the financials.
Next steps: staff will supply lease-or-purchase cost estimates for an appropriately sized compactor and bring the item back for board discussion in February.
