"Train managers get raise in pay" *LINK*

By ERIN SMITH
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
CONEJOS - The firm managing the Cumbres & Toltec tourist train will be paid more than twice what it received last year to oversee the 64-mile narrow-gauge railroad between Antonito and Chama, N.M.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission, which includes two commissioners each from the owner states of Colorado and New Mexico, approved the $90,000 contract Wednesday.
In 2006, the management company received about $43,000 for managing the railroad for nine months, said Leo Schmitz, commission executive director.
Under the new contract, the company will be paid $7,500 a month from April 1 through next March 31 as well as incentives of as much as $15,000 for increasing ridership; $5,000 to address legislative concerns of using local talent relating to hiring, training and advancement; $15,000 for improving safety and preventing accidents; and $10,000 for improving profit margins.
The commission reimburses the company for payroll for the line’s employees (65 in the summer and about 30 in the winter), materials and supplies.
The commission also approved an advertising and marketing budget of $413,000, up from $307,000 this year. That will include a media budget of about $225,000.
Circus Inc. of Santa Fe will oversee the advertising budget and will be paid $10,000 a month through the end of September. It also will receive a one-time production fee of $10,000.
New Mexico Commissioner Randy Randall said the advertising resulting from Circus’ efforts would become the commission’s property.
Requests for proposals for a new advertising provider will go out in the fall.
The fiscal year 2008 budget is set at about $3.1 million compared to this year’s budget of $2.6 million.