Mayor's Message, November 2023

As we enter this time of Thanksgiving, as residents of the town, we have so much to be thankful for.  We have a wonderful community of families and committed employees that serve Palmer Lake. 

We have various Boards full of volunteers who steadily work on a variety of projects. The Board of Trustees, the Planning Commission, the Parks Commission, and the Board of Adjustment diligently strive to serve the community and complete successful projects. The Town staff excels in the day-to-day operations of municipal services. We welcome a new equipment operator to Public Works, a new firefighter to the Fire Department, and an accounting clerk to Administration. We all look forward to meeting the new employees of the Town.

The Board of Trustees and staff are working in unison to present a cohesive balanced budget for 2024. Sales tax revenue is down substantially from previous years and, as a result, departments will hold all new hires and limit capital equipment/improvement purchases to balance the increased operating costs with the anticipated lower revenue. We will budget conservatively for 2024. Generally, families are staying in due to the significant rise in the cost of living. As such, the town revenue from sales tax and revenue from land use development has taken a downward turn. Retail marijuana sales had a slow start, and the town should have a better grasp on this new revenue stream in the new year. While this revenue source is needed, it is clear that the initial forecast of retail marijuana sales tax has not come to fruition as anticipated.

The Board of Trustees has made it clear to prioritize infrastructure with available capital funds and awarded grants in the 2024 budget. Infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth.

I look forward to Thanksgiving and the love of family and community that this time of year brings to us all.  The Fire Association will host its annual Chili Supper and Star Lighting at the Town Hall on the Saturday following Thanksgiving beginning at 4 pm and the star lighting at 7 pm. Tickets may be purchased at Eventbrite.com - search for Palmer Lake Chili Supper.

“Gratitude can transform common days in thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” I give sincere thanks for this community. I am grateful for what we have. The more thankful we become, the more our bounty will increase. Thank you all for being a part of Palmer Lake and her history.

Glant