By Naomi Hatch “In my opinion, dollars are being wasted…,” said Jarom Hatch, a Snowflake resident and small business owner during the call to the public at the April 8 council meeting. Hatch said he requested a copy of the town’s financials from Finance Director Brian Richards, and thanked him for providing the information so quickly. Hatch said his interest was in the Highway User Revenue Funds (HURF). He pointed out that in 2012, Snowflake received $560,451 in HURF funds, and in 2013 the town received $625,457. “In those two years I have a hard time noticing $1.1 million worth of improvements on our streets,” he said. “The Town of Snowflake has chosen to follow a course like the federal and state (governments),” Hatch continued, explaining that the town competes with the free market. Hatch said he felt that with the HURF money the town could do two miles of roadway with a private company, and that would leave $100,000 for maintenance. “In two weeks a contract company would be able to perform all the work with high quality and a warranty, instead the town has chosen to use money for raises,” said Hatch, who suggested they start opening up opportunities for small companies to bid. Mayor Kelly Willis asked if because it was criticism they could respond, but because it was during call to the public, the council could not. The agenda included a quarterly financial update and a report by Public Works Director Terry Cooper on their goals that included HURF funding. Finance Director Brian Richards explained that HURF money comes from gasoline tax money that goes to the state and is returned to cities and towns through state shared revenue under a complex formula. Mayor Willis noted that HURF money is used solely for roads. Town Manager Paul Watson explained that state law allocates that money for transportation purposes, and Snowflake keeps the money in a separate fund. Richards said that they are audited annually and the auditor confirms all expenditures are proper. Following the financial update, Councilwoman Bev Kay asked, “Is there a way to answer some of Jarom’s questions?” She suggested they compare doing work in house as opposed to hiring outside companies. “I don’t think we’re out of line as far as what all the other cities and towns do,” said Richards, noting that salaries and wages are probably the same percentage for Snowflake as other cities and towns spend. “Why use people not trained and not do it right?” asked Kay. “I take offense to that,” said Watson. He also noted that they do contract out some of the services and could show costs. “There’s no way to know what the costs are unless you put it out to contract,” said Hatch. “Nothing’s going out to contract, so how could you possibly know what it costs the private sector?” “We haven’t put anything out to contract?” Watson asked. “Not to my knowledge,” Hatch replied. Watson said they would show him bids for projects that have been put out to bid. As Cooper gave his report on public works goals for the 2014 fiscal year, he noted that one project was to use reserve funds for a 1.5-inch overlay on Freeman Hollow Road. “You need to put a good three inches or you’re throwing good money for bad,” said Hatch. “Chip seal is cheap, but doesn’t last, and 3” asphalt would last for many years. It’s a waste of money to do these things incorrectly,” he said. Cooper then completed his presentation of the goals set by public works.