Fruita and Palisade have new projects planned in 2025 budgets | Western Colorado

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Fruita’s budget includes $28.3 million in proposed expenditures for next year. About half the revenues for Fruita come through taxes, which are budgeted at around $14 million, a slight increase over the 2024 budget.

Personnel salaries and benefits expenses for Fruita are increasing from around $10.6 million to $11.3 million. Other significant expenses includes the capital expenditures at around $5.4 million.

Significant projects for 2025 include the South Mesa Street improvement project, completion of the 19 Road project, trail expansions at Snooks Bottom, irrigation updates at Little Salt Wash Park and a community garden at the Fruita Community Center, according to a release from the City of Fruita.

Palisade’s budget includes around $10 million in expenditures. The town’s police and fire departments account for around $3.2 million in expenditures with another $3.2 million budgeted for capital projects and equipment.

Notable capital projects planned for Palisade include its sewer line connecting the town to the Clifton Sanitation Plant, as well as a project led by the Colorado Department of Transportation to install a roundabout at Elberta Avenue and U.S. Highway 6. The town is also installing sidewalks and pedestrian bridges along a portion of Elberta Avenue. Many of its capital projects are being funded in large part through grants.

Palisade has seen its tax revenue decrease over the past two years. Tax revenue for Palisade was around $6.9 million in 2023. The town budgeted for $5.9 million in tax revenue in 2024 and are projecting further decreases in revenue in 2025 to less than $5.5 million.

“You have to be conservative and prepare for it,” Palisade Finance Director Gregg Mueller said. “We’ve had to reallocate and adjust to be reasonable with what our expectations are and reality. When you see the numbers going down we have to address that.”

Mueller said the town has put off some capital improvement projects in response to its declining tax revenues. Palisade voters rejected an additional 2% sales tax in November.