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Taos Regional Landfill board approves interim budget and $1 million temporary loan from Town of Taos
Summary
The board approved an interim budget for fiscal 2027 and accepted a temporary $1,000,000 loan from the Town of Taos to cover a shortfall for full‑cell construction; the plan includes transfers for debt service and a compactor lease, and the budget goes to council May 26 for final action.
The Taos Regional Landfill Board on May 21 approved an interim budget for fiscal 2027 and accepted a temporary $1,000,000 loan from the Town of Taos to cover a shortfall in full‑cell construction funding.
Jonathan Montoya, who presented the financial review and interim budget, told the board the town’s general fund will make “a temporary loan of $1,000,000 to the 8,200 fund,” which will be transferred to the construction fund (8,300) as needed to complete the planned full cell. Montoya said the board anticipates an $850,000 shortfall and will repay the loan once final transfer amounts are known.
The interim budget package presented to the board grouped multiple funds under board authority, including debt service (loan 6173, maturity 06/01/2033), a construction fund, an operational fund and equipment/lease funds. Montoya said the enterprise operating fund had earned $1,854,602 through April and that April tonnage was 4,337.34 tons with an average daily tonnage of 166.82; year‑to‑date average cost per ton was cited at about $42.04.
Montoya also outlined planned transfers: a $250,902 transfer for debt service and increased quarterly transfers to the equipment replacement and emergency/closure funds to cover a new compactor lease and related needs. He said the board expects adequate cash to cover these transfers and that the interim budget will be presented to council on May 26; the state’s interim budget deadline is May 31.
Board members questioned several line items during discussion, focusing on fuel and transportation costs and contractual carryovers tied to permit renewals and modifications. Montoya explained that permit‑related carryovers include roughly $150,000 for permit renewal/modification work and additional costs for notices of violation and related revisions/hearings.
Vice Chair Silva moved to approve the interim budget “as presented,” a motion seconded by another member; the chair called the roll and recorded the motion as passed.
The board recorded no further formal actions tied to budget amendments at the meeting; Montoya said refinancing existing debt would be expensive and slow and that tapping the town general fund for a temporary transfer was the most efficient option to keep the construction project on schedule.
Next steps: the interim budget as approved by the board will be presented to council for final consideration on May 26; the landfill staff will monitor key cost drivers and return to the board at midyear if line items such as fuel require adjustments.
