Broomfield leaders outline 2026 budget priorities, hold second study session

City and County of Broomfield officials held the second of two study sessions on the proposed 2026 budget, reviewing department requests and answering council questions on items that include a planned new police facility, an enterprise resource‑planning software rollout and bonds for water and wastewater infrastructure.

Deputy City and County Manager Dan Casey told council the 2026 proposal reflects a shift from rapid growth to a maturing community and prioritizes: mandates from federal and state requirements, contractual obligations, and critical public‑health and safety needs. He said staff aim to preserve a 20% general‑fund reserve as part of enhanced financial stability.

The proposed calendar calls for a public hearing on the budget during the City Council meeting on Oct. 14, 2025, and final consideration and adoption at the regular meeting on Oct. 28, 2025. Council will accept public comment at both meetings.

Most of the meeting consisted of department‑by‑department presentations and questions. Highlights and clarifications provided by department heads at the session included: - Assessor: Jay Umash said valuation work for the 2027 appraisals is underway but that the office cannot yet preview results. He restated that the department used a sales window of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024, to set the 2025 valuations and noted the appeals process remains the same. Umash reported 509 total appeals for 2025 and said 317 were filed through the office’s new online portal…