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Longmont council adopts $519.8 million 2026 budget; one‑time property tax placeholder reduced
Summary
City staff presented final changes to the proposed 2026 budget, citing lower preliminary assessed values from Boulder County that reduced one‑time property tax placeholder by $536,000. Council adopted the $519.8 million budget unanimously.
Longmont adopted its 2026 budget after staff presented two main changes to the proposal: a reduction in the one‑time property tax placeholder and position‑related adjustments across several funds.
City budget staff said preliminary assessed value certifications from Boulder County arrived lower than projected, prompting a reduction to one‑time property tax funding in the general fund by $536,000 from the originally proposed $770,000 to $233,000. Budget manager Sandra Cifuentes and Chief Financial Officer Teresa Malloy told council the one‑time funds are placeholders pending final county certification in December and may change again; the funds are not earmarked for a specific program until the manager directs allocation.
The new proposed 2026 budget total is $519,800,000, of which $93,200,000 is allocated to capital improvement projects. Staff also reported position funding changes that affected six funds; details were included in the council packet attachments.
Public comments: Several residents addressed the council during the public hearing on the budget. Steve Altschuler urged caution about what he characterized as a large year‑over‑year increase, saying the overall package represented roughly a 13% increase over the prior year. Another speaker urged the council to maintain available funding to provide services to residents in need.
Council action: Councilor McCoy moved to adopt the budget; Mayor Pro Tem Hidalgo Faring seconded. Council voted to adopt the 2026 budget; the chair recorded that the motion “passes unanimously.” Staff said the ordinances that formally adopt the budget and resolutions for the pay plan and financial policies will follow in subsequent agenda items.
What it means: The council approved a budget that retains capital project funding levels and includes an uncommitted one‑time property tax placeholder reduced to $233,000 pending final county certifications. Staff said they will focus on capital expenditure monitoring first if financial adjustments are needed later.
