At the city council public hearing, July 11, the fiscal year budget was approved.

Members of the Cochise County Youth Coalition spoke to the Douglas City Council at the July 11 meeting about their various projects. Pictured above are, back row left to right Sara Altamirano, Danielle Echevarria, Jesus “Chuey” Duarte, Sienna Martinez, Jazelyn Lopez and Kimberly Ruiz.Bottom row left to right Claudia Parra, Bobbi Olivas and Carley Duarte. Trisha Maldonado/Douglas Dispatch

The budget for FY 2012/2013 will be $30,108,508. The expected revenues are set at $29,359,506, leaving a difference of $749,002 which will come out of the reserved budget.

Following the public hearing was the regular City Council meeting, which started with people wishing to address the council.

Jesus Duarte of Cochise County Youth Coalition made a brief presentation to mayor and council regarding the Coalition’s past and future events that have centered on healthy relationships, media literacy, and the dangers of all tobacco products. Duarte’s presentation was to bring awareness to the Douglas about the events that are being planned for the upcoming school year.

“We have many good kids in Douglas and it is good to see them focus on the things instead of the bad” Councilman Shelton said about Duarte’s presentation.

Victor Gonzalez from the Douglas Regional Economic Development Corporation (DREDC) provided a presentation regarding current work in progress and completed work in the Douglas area. Gonzalez also provided a brief outline of the Arizona Department of Transportation, Overweight Truck Permit Program and its benefits to the local economy.

“ADOT would share the fees with local government, each permit would cost $75 per crossing, 25 percent would go to both the city and county,” Gonzalez said.

There would projected revenue of $140,000 for Cochise County and the City of Douglas, he added.

Gonzales also added that Fry’s Food and Drug Store does not have any plans to come to Douglas at this time.

The increase of Golf fees was also approved. Golf fees will go up a dollar per passes. Also approved was the usage of golf carts restricted to immediate family. Golf carts are not to be loaned to non-family listed on the golf cart rental storage agreement; trail fees would apply to loaning out of gold carts to non-family members.

The Mayor and Council approved the grant agreement between the City of Douglas and the Arizona Department of Transportation for taxiway overlay through the Airport Pavement management System Program. ADOT will fund 100 percent of the design and 90 percent of the construction cost. The City of Douglas will be responsible for funding ten percent of the project. The total project cost is $292,258.80, the city’s share will be $29,258.80, and this amount has been budgeted in the FY 2012/2013 budget.

The FEMA Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved for review and updated.

Approved was the contract between the City of Douglas and the Arizona Department of Corrections to provide inmate labor for city projects. The City has budgeted $99,000 inmate labor for FY 2012/2013.

The City of Douglas approved a grant from the Arizona Auto Theft Authority in the amount of $2040 to send Officer Tom Romero and Sergeant Jose Duarte to Kansas City, Missouri, August 19-24 for the annual International Auto Authority Training Seminar.

Also approved from the Arizona Auto Theft Authority was a grant in the amount of $2,800, funds will be used to purchase a Four Post Hydraulic Lift. The Hydraulic Lift will be used by the Douglas Police Department to further investigation of stolen vehicles and identification of stolen vehicles.

The City accepted to receive reimbursable funds from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area in the amount of $22,202 for the Douglas Police Department. The award amount of $17,202 is allocated for overtime and $5000 for supplies and fuel. The entire amount is reimbursable; the grant period is from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2013.

Mayor and Council approved the finance of the Fire Ladder truck and Vacuum Pump Truck through Pinnacle Public Finance and Wells Fargo Equipment. They offered the lowest interest rate of 2.2 percent for an eight year term for the Fire truck and most importantly offered the City a low interest only payment of $10,129.72 during FY 12/13. Two lease contracts will be issued, one to Pinnacle Public Finance for the eight year financing option at 2.12 percent for the Aerial Ladder Truck and the second to Wells Fargo Equipment Finance with the five year option at 2.028 percent for the vacuum pump truck and backhoe loader.

Consent agenda items approved; expenditures for the month of June, totaling $3,364,746.70; acceptance of Youth Activity Fun Committee resignation submitted by Raul Montano; appointment of Jesus Duarte to the Youth Activity Fun Committee. Sandy Thomas was appointed to the finance committee. Leslie Stimac was appointed to the airport authority board. Reappointed to the Douglas Community Housing Corporation Board were Joe A Ruterman, Felix Soto and Frank Melgoza.

The next City Council meeting will be help on August 8 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.