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;iii��•i <br />Year 2003 Highlights - continued <br />16, 1962 when President John F. Kennedy visited Pueblo to sign the Fryingpan- Arkansas Project Act (Public <br />Law 87 -590). If you would like to be added to the list for future Fry -Ark tours, contact the District office at <br />(719) 948 -2400. <br />On August 25 -26, a tour of the Fryingpan- Arkansas Project was held for legislative staff members. Ray <br />Kogovsek and Christine Arbogast, SECWCD lobbyist for the Preferred Storage Options Plan legislation <br />contacted staff members from the Colorado delegation to invite them to participate in the tour. There <br />were only four staff members able to participate due to the very busy schedules: Melissa Simpson from <br />Congressman McInnis' office; Mac Zimmerman from Congressman Tancredo's office; Dale Jones from <br />Congressman Beauprez's office; and Cory Gardner from Senator Allard's office. <br />The staff members were appreciative of the time that was given to them to present such an outstanding <br />program that explained the features of the Fry -Ark Project and the facilities that make the Project work. <br />Each fiscal year the Bureau of Reclamation presents Water Conservation Awards. These awards recognize <br />efforts shown by entities in the areas of water conservation measurement, planning, information /education, <br />and implementation of water conservation plans. For 2003, the Eastern Colorado Area Office was proud to <br />nominate the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, and to announce the District as the recipient <br />of the Great Plains Regional Director's Water Conservation Field Services Program Award, in recognition of <br />exceptional efforts on implementing a xeriscape demonstration garden. <br />The xeriscape garden was started in 2000. The District contracted with Jean Van Pelt to develop and <br />implement the xeriscape education program. Ms. Van Pelt provides workshops to the public throughout the <br />nine county service area. The garden is open to the public to visit and guided tours are popular with the <br />visitors. <br />2003 showed a significant increase in water revenues over the drought driven low revenues of 2002. <br />However, the Project water sales of $243,054 were still below average. The Winter water revenues were <br />about average. <br />Ad Valorem tax collections grew to $4,808,379 based on a Mill Levy of .847 while Operating Mill Levy <br />collections increased to $216,260 based on a Mill Levy of .038. The Specific Ownership tax collections <br />increased $36,000 over 2002 to $756,428. <br />Interest Income continued to decline as investments made in years of higher interest matured and had to be <br />replaced with lower interest bonds. <br />On the expenditure side, Legal expenses rose significantly as a tremendous amount of time was spent on <br />issues regarding the IGA with Aurora and the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District, as well as several <br />water transfer cases. <br />Overall 2003 was a good year financially as the Net Fund Balance showed an increase of over $125,000. <br />• 10 • <br />