Boulder City Council on Oct. 9 held the public hearing and introduced four ordinances that constitute the recommended 2026 budget package: Ordinance 87‑22 (adopt the 2026 budget), Ordinance 87‑23 (2025 property tax mill levies certification), Ordinance 87‑24 (appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year) and Ordinance 87‑27 (fee and tax ordinance changes including parking and other fee updates).

Charlotte Husky, the city’s budget officer, presented the recommended 2026 budget and the six‑year Capital Improvement Program (2026–2031). Staff described a constrained financial outlook driven by flattening sales‑and‑use tax and modest property tax growth. The recommended budget totals approximately $507.2 million in projected revenues and carries a 2026 operating budget of about $407.7 million. Husky said staff identified a potential $7.5 million general‑fund shortfall under prior forecasts and balanced the recommended budget through a mix of one‑time use of fund balance, ongoing departmental reductions, realignments and a set of proposed enhanced revenue measures.

Key revenue and program items discussed

- Long‑term financial strategy: Staff linked the recommended budget to the city’s long‑term financial strategy, noting the need to diversify revenue beyond sales tax and build resilience. The presentation included a proposed multiyear ballot strategy and continued planning around community culture, resilience and safety (CCRS) funding.
- Enhanced revenue measures: The recommended budget assumes several new or increased revenues including partial 2026 TMF collections ($2.25 million in 2026 per staff estimate), a $0.50 per hour increase in on‑street and garage parking rates, speed‑on‑green photo enforcement revenues (estimated $2.6 million), and a single‑family housing expansion fee (estimated $400,000 at a proposed $11 per square foot threshold); single‑family expansion fee policy discussions were scheduled for Oct. 16 and Nov. 6.
- Budget adjustments and program changes: The budget assumes department‑level reductions and realignments, including reorganization of behavioral‑health response staff into a cross‑functional team, certain homelessness program realignments, and reductions in duplicate outreach programs. The recommended operating budget continues funding for arts, culture and heritage with an increase targeted at cultural events and grants.
- Capital program highlights: The six‑year CIP totals about $789.5 million, with $113.3 million in 2026 across 115 projects. Notable 2026 CIP items included planned work on wildfire resilience, Civic Area Phase 2 (park renovation), replacement of Fire Station 2 (estimated $25 million), and Primos Park/Violet Avenue bridge replacement.

Public comment and council discussion: Eight speakers addressed the budget during the public hearing. Public comments included appeals for continued or expanded support for nonprofit and social‑services programs: Debbie Pope of the Emergency Family Assistance Association described sharply rising food‑bank demand and requested additional support; several speakers urged continuation or larger commitments to the Elevate Boulder guaranteed‑income pilot, citing improved housing stability and reduced distress among participants. Council members praised staff work while raising questions about coordination with Boulder County on human‑services needs, transparency and searchability of budget data, and the CCRS nonprofit allocation. Council approved the four ordinances on first reading and scheduled second readings and special‑district resolutions for Oct. 23.

Vote and next steps: Each of the four ordinances (87‑22, 87‑23, 87‑24 and 87‑27) was introduced on first reading and approved by roll call on Oct. 9. Staff will return Oct. 23 for second readings and formal adoption steps, plus special district resolutions. Staff noted clerical amendments (hotline items) to the fees ordinance to correct a rounding issue and to remove a section already acted on at a previous meeting.