The Berthoud Board of Trustees held a regular meeting Tuesday evening and considered one agenda item. The meeting was convened under “Zoom” protocol.

The sole agenda item requiring attention by the trustees was a resolution for a supplemental budget appropriation for 2020.

Town Administrator Chris Kirk introduced the item and explained the reasons for a supplementing the 2020 budget are twofold: A number of items budgeted for the 2019 budget which were not completed in that budget year and need to be rolled into the 2020 budget, and items in the 2020 budget which exceeded the amount that some of the items, for which the items were originally budgeted. The amount of the appropriation to the 2020 budget is $34, 349, 700.

A public hearing was opened and closed again when no one stood to speak to the item.

Following a brief period of discussion by the trustees a motion for a resolution making a supplemental appropriation of funds and adopting budget amendments to account for rollover and supplemental items, and making a supplemental appropriation, was made, seconded and passed unanimously.

Another item that was passed by the trustees as part of the consent agenda was the issue of Berthoud Bucks. In a memorandum to the board Kirk made the following comments:

At the June 23, 2020, regular meeting of the Town Board, Melissa Feldbush, Executive Director of the Berthoud Chamber, gave a presentation about the Berthoud Bucks program that has been implemented to encourage local shopping and dining in the face of COVID-19.

More specifically, Berthoud Bucks are a valid bank check that spends just like cash and can be used at any Berthoud business or nonprofit. The program is designed to encourage local shopping, which in turn strengthens our economy and supports business growth. These are especially important in light of the economic impacts of COVID-19. Berthoud Bucks can be purchased at the Berthoud Chamber of Commerce office in $5, $10 or $25 increments. Each check can be used for employee incentives, prizes or gifts for family and friends. The use of Berthoud Bucks ensures that this money is spent in the community, benefiting Berthoud.

At the June 23 meeting, the Board directed staff to bring back an item committing $5,000 of Town funds to support this program. The Board subsequently approved a contribution in the amount of $5,000 at the July 14, 2020 Town Board Meeting. If approved, this would provide another $5,000 contribution to the program.

As stated above, the item was passed as part of the consent agenda and, as such, the item was passed without further comment by the trustees.