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Hayden — The Hayden Town Council will decide whether to approve the first reading of the proposed 2010 budget when it meets at 7:30 p.m. today.

The town must adopt the nearly $2.2 million budget by Dec. 15. It’s due to the state by Jan. 31.

Although tonight’s meeting includes the first reading, Town Manager Russ Martin said council members could still discuss the budget and suggest changes. For instance, Police Chief Ray Birch asked the council last month for additional funding to add another full-time officer to the department. Council members had asked him to work within his proposed budget.

After budget workshops in October, the council didn’t suggest any major revisions to the proposed budget.

“We’ll go through what’s in the budget, a general overview, again,” Martin said about tonight’s discussion.

Martin said the budget also would include additional projected revenues of $111,200 because Hayden voters approved the 3.5 percent car rental and lodging taxes this month. Martin said that revenue has been budgeted in reserves and that it will be up to council members to decide whether and how to spend that money.

If the council approves the first reading of the 2010 budget, Martin said the second reading, or adoption of the budget, would occur at the Dec. 10 Town Council meeting.

At that meeting, council members also will certify the 2010 mill levy. To meet state requirements, it must be certified by Dec. 15. Tonight’s agenda also includes the first reading of the mill levy ordinance. However, Martin said Routt County wouldn’t complete and send its valuation of Hayden property, which determines the mill levy, until Dec. 10.

The town’s 2009 valuation is more than $30.1 million, making the mill levy 25.067 mills. That would generate more than $494,000 in revenue for the town’s general fund. But Martin said that valuation could change by Dec. 10.

“The numbers that are in there we can’t say are absolute until we get that from the county, the valuation,” Martin said.

An extension of the franchise agreement with Bresnan Communications, the town’s cable television and Internet provider, also is scheduled for tonight’s meeting, but Martin said it likely would be delayed until February.

The Town Council also will have its first discussion of code enforcement revisions.

Martin said di­rection from council members would determine how the town would proceed with possible revisions. He said a first reading of a revised ordinance could occur early next year.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Hayden Town Hall with a work session that includes staff and council member reports. The regular session is set to start at 7:30 p.m.