Council member accuses City Manager Hoffman of mismanagement over water rate increases

The Broomfield County City Council meeting on April 11, 2025, focused heavily on the contentious issue of water rate increases and management accountability. The session began with a detailed discussion led by a council member who expressed strong concerns regarding the handling of water rates and the implications for residents.

The council member reiterated claims of negligence and mismanagement, citing a third-party rate study from 2022 that recommended a 16% increase in water rates over six years. However, a subsequent proposal in 2023 suggested an 18% increase for 2024 alone, with total increases projected to exceed 60% over the same period. This unexpected shift left many council members feeling blindsided, prompting internal discussions about the accuracy and transparency of the information provided by city management.

The council member highlighted that a new rate study presented last fall proposed a staggering 50% increase in one year and a total of 96% over six years, which further exacerbated concerns about the management's communication and decision-making processes. The member criticized the city manager, asserting that she should have been aware of the deficiencies in the capital asset management system, which had been flagged in internal audits as early as 2013.

The discussion also touched on the mismanagement of the water tank project, where initial cost estimates ballooned from $47 million to $93 million. The council member argued that such discrepancies indicated a failure in project oversight and planning.

Additionally, the council member raised issues regarding communication failures with residents during construction projects, emphasizing that council members were often left in the dark about significant developments until after they had occurred. This lack of transparency was seen as undermining the council's authority and ability to represent the community effectively.

The meeting concluded with a call for improved accountability and better communication from city management to ensure that residents are not adversely affected by future rate increases and management decisions. The council member's remarks underscored a growing frustration among council members regarding the handling of critical infrastructure issues and the need for a more transparent and responsible approach to governance.