Sentinel Lakewood
May 9, 2013
A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourlakewoodnews.com
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West Metro saves money for taxpayers Restructuring debt saves fire district $2M By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com The West Metro Fire District has found a way to save district taxpayers $2 million through a new interest rate on bond money and through department efficiency. On April 18 the district refinanced $22,970,000 of District General Obligation debt, and brought the interest cost down from 5.17 percent to 2.33 percent. The low-
er rates means taxpayers will pay significantly less on the debt. The bond should be paid in full by 2026. According to information from the district, the refinancing will reduce property taxes that would have otherwise gone to higher debt service on the original bond. A total of 14 investors purchased the bonds of the District, including mutual funds and insurance companies, retail investors and trust departments and money managers who purchase bonds for their clients’ portfolios. “Back in 2006 we did a bond election for $43 million, and went to the voters to have have the sale of the bonds so we could do
some capital projects,” said the district’s chief, Don Lombardi. “We had commissioned a blue ribbon committee of local leaders to get input, and they came up with areas where we were deficient and needed to address.” According to Lombardi, the bond money went to projects repairing and remodeling fire stations; the purchase of three firefighting trucks and two ambulances; the purchase of firefighting equipment, such as thermal imaging equipment, and communications equipment, such as an advanced emergency 911 system; construction of a training center; and purchase of land and buildings previously leased by the district.
“Not only did we get everything done we needed to, but we did it under budget,” he said. “That something that I’m extremely proud of, and now we can look to other projects.” Vicki Mattox, managing director at Stifel Nicolaus financial services, has worked with West Metro for many years, and helped them to negotiate the lower interest rate. “We monitored the interests rates to find a place where it would make sense to restructure, and we saw a decrease in rates, so we were able to renegotiated the debt,” she said. “West Metro is a very well run district, and that was recognized, which gave them a high rating.”
Jeffco surveys budget policy By Glenn Wallace
gwallace@ourcoloradonews.com
Jim Remington plays the ukulele in his studio at the Lakewood School of Music. Remington not only teaches guitar and ukulele, but also songwriting and helps students record tracks. Photos by Clarke Reader
Making melodies Students find variety of instruments, options at music school By Clarke Reader
creader@ourcoloradonews.com
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ecoming an accomplished musician is a lifelong pursuit, and those looking to take that first step or get a little help along the way have a new friend in the Lakewood School of Music. The school, 1510 Glen Ayr Drive, was started by Robin Braun, Chris Lesegue and Jim Remington in September 2012, and combines the trio’s more than 50 years of teaching experience — along with several part-time instructors — to provide quality music lessons for all ages and skill levels. All the teachers have their own instrumental focuses, which allows for a variety of music to be taught. “The space we have here is really conducive to learning music,” Braun said.
+JN 3FNJOHUPO T USBDL SFDPSEFS BMMPXT IJN UP XPSL XJUI USBDLT BT XFMM BT EP MPPQJOH BOE MBZJOH TFQBSBUF tracks over each other. He uses the recorder with his students. Clarke Reader “We’re really big on reading music, and want to make sure our students have a solid background in music theory.” Braun — who teaches piano, trumpet, french horn and voice — said many students are able to learn by ear, but real progress can be made when learning by
ear is married with music theory and technical aspects. Remington teaches some piano, but his main focuses are guitar and songwriting. Music continues on Page 20
Preliminary meetings began in April between Jefferson County Budget Director Tina Caputo and the Jeffco Board of County Commissioners, where they have discussed general budget policy and the timeline for assembling next year’s budget. Adoption of next year’s budget will take place in December. The fiscal year begins Jan. 1 The 2013 budget, which totaled $468 million, may just be entering the second quarter, but Caputo said she already had several questions, mostly about process and general budget policy, that she wanted county commissioner direction on, including whether to hold strategic budget meetings with department heads, and whether to let the commissioners do more of the early sorting of capital improvement project planning. In discussions so far, the three commissioners — District 1 Commissioner Faye Griffin, District 2 Commissioner Casey Tighe, and District 3 Commissioner Donald Rosier — seemed to prefer a blended approach on both topics. Information-only meetings, designed to give each department an overview of the county’s finances are to be set up for later this year. “It’s important to get all the information in front of everyone, to make sure they feel it’s open and transparent,” District 3 Commissioner Don Rosier said at the April 24 budget discussion meeting. Rosier added that he would not want to see those meetings extend into budget decision-making though. On the question of capital improvement projects, the commission decided to request copies of all county project proposals as they are submitted by different departments, while still asking the budget office and county management staff develop a recommendation list. “I wouldn’t mind seeing the whole list, since we end up hearing about them anyway,” District 1 Commissioner Faye Griffin said, also at the April 24 meeting. The early budget meetings revealed some good news. End-of-year accounting found the county overcharged some county Budget continues on Page 20
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