Council approves multiple grant applications and reviews March income statement; SRT body-camera and vehicle grants advanced

The Rangely Town Council approved the town’s March 2026 income statement and authorized multiple grant applications and funding requests at its April 28 meeting, while staff cautioned that the general fund will remain in deficit until expected mineral-lease severance income arrives.

Finance overview: a staff presenter reviewed the income statement and noted one-time or timing-driven expenses — including an annual accounting-software payment and new computers — pushed administration and some departments above their expected year-to-date levels. The presenter told the council the general fund will run a deficit until severance from a mineral lease is received, but that most other funds are in positive positions.

Grants and public-safety requests: The council approved motions to apply for or accept several grants: - A Humane Colorado reimbursement grant of $5,000 for trap-neuter-release work to address feral cats; the local shelter would manage the program and submit receipts for reimbursement. - A $5,000 Western Rio Blanco lodging-tax request to create a promotional "river put-in" video and a river-safety video for local marketing and visitor education. - An Edward Byrne Memorial JAG application for two outfitted patrol vehicles totaling $180,000; staff said the grant is competitive but would fully fund two new vehicles if awarded. - A Small, Rural, and Tribal (SRT) grant application for body-worn cameras (the town would request $20,000, covering half the system cost; the town would need to provide a 50% match or finance the remainder). Staff said purchases would be returned to council before any expenditure and could be budgeted next year or financed over a multi-year payment plan.

Context and constraints: staff explained the Humane Colorado grant is reimbursement-based and the lodging-tax video project would come from a promotional fund; the body-camera grant is a 50% match program and the equipment vendor often offers multi-year, no-interest payment options to municipalities. Council members requested additional detail if grant awards require town matching funds and asked that procurement return to council prior to expenditure.

Ending: The council approved all the grant applications and motions to apply; the finance presentation and approvals position the town to pursue outside funding for animal control, tourism, and public-safety equipment while balancing known budget timing constraints.

Quotes: A staff presenter summarized the budget pressure: "General fund, you guys know that we will run in the deficit until we get severance of mineral lease."