HomeMy WebLinkAbout024 - 03/18/2008 - APPROPRIATING PRIOR YEAR RESERVES IN THE NATURAL AREAS FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING NATURAL ARE ORDINANCE NO. 024, 2008
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
APPROPRIATING PRIOR YEAR RESERVES IN THE
NATURAL AREAS FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING
NATURAL AREAS PROGRAMMING NOT INCLUDED
IN THE 2008 ADOPTED CITY BUDGET
WHEREAS,the City is committed to conserving natural areas in a manner that protects their
integrity,while providing educational,interpretive and appropriate recreational opportunities to the
public; and
WHEREAS, Natural Areas programming implements open land conservation priorities
identified in the City's Comprehensive Plan by purchasing fee simple or conservation easement
interests in key natural areas,community separators,or other open lands;providing stewardship for
lands purchased; and developing trails and interpretive features for public use; and
WHEREAS,the City's Natural Areas program is funded primarily through the collection of
Open Space-YES sales and use tax revenue,revenues from the Larimer County Help Preserve Open
Spaces Initiative, proceeds from the issuance of Certificates of Participation in 2004, fees from
royalties, investment earnings, and other miscellaneous revenues; and
WHEREAS, Natural Areas Fund 2007 operating appropriations totaled $20,664,781 and
expenditures/encumbrances totaled$17,196,023, leaving a balance of unspent and unencumbered
appropriations totaling $3,468,758; and
WHEREAS, prior year reserves in the Natural Areas Fund at year-end 2007 included
revenues that were not appropriated in 2007,totaling$532,742; and
WHEREAS,Article V, Section 11 of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins(the"Charter")
requires that all appropriations unexpended or unencumbered at the end of the fiscal year shall lapse
to the applicable general or special revenue fund,except that appropriations for capital projects and
federal or state grants shall not lapse until the completion of the capital project or until the expiration
of the federal or state grant; and
WHEREAS, Article V, Section 9 of the Charter permits the City Council to appropriate by
ordinance at any time during the fiscal year such funds for expenditure as may be available from
reserves accumulated in prior years, notwithstanding that such reserves were not previously
appropriated; and
WHEREAS, City staff recommends appropriating from prior year reserves in the Natural
Areas Fund the unexpended and unencumbered appropriations totaling $3,468,758 and
unappropriated revenues totaling $532,742, to be used for acquisition, construction, enhancement
and maintenance of trail systems, wildlife habitat and other natural areas to benefit the citizens of
the City; and
WHEREAS,it is the desire of the Council to appropriate the total of$4,001,500 from prior
year reserves in the Natural Areas Fund to be used for acquisition, construction, enhancement and
maintenance of trail systems, wildlife habitat and other natural areas to benefit the citizens of the
city.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that there is hereby appropriated for expenditure from prior year reserves in the Natural
Areas Fund the sum of FOUR MILLION ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS
($4,001,500)to be used for acquisition,construction,enhancement and maintenance of trail systems,
wildlife habitat and other natural areas to benefit the citizens of the city.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 4th day of
March, A.D. 2008, and to be presented for final passage on the 1 day of March, A.D. 2008.
Mayor
ATTEST:
aiA . Lk.'-A. L
City Clerk
Passed and adopted on final reading on the 18th day of A.D. 2008.
Mayo
ATTEST:
City Clerk