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Brighton finance team reports solid Q1 revenues, large capital spending planned for 2025
Summary
City finance staff reported first-quarter 2025 results showing $17.5 million in governmental fund revenues (excluding transfers), timing-driven swings in property and use taxes, strong investment earnings and major capital budgets — notably an $87 million water treatment plant — that will use reserves during the year.
City finance staff presented Brighton’s first-quarter 2025 budget and financial update, reporting $17.5 million in governmental revenues (excluding transfers) for the quarter and outlining how timing and major capital projects will shape spending for the year.
Finance Director Katrina Asher and Budget and Performance Manager Catherine Mortensen told the council that quarterly comparisons are affected by timing: property-tax receipts appeared higher in the quarter because of remittance timing but are expected to be down year-over-year when final certified figures are available. Investment earnings were stronger, reflecting higher interest rates and large cash reserves. Use tax was down relative to an anomaly in Q1 2024 tied to a large multifamily permit. Sales tax collections were described as “up about 6.8%” through the first three months, with online retail and construction-related receipts contributing to growth; an audit program has assessed $135,000 in additional revenue year-to-date.
Asher and Mortensen outlined larger-year budget dynamics: the city budget plans to use roughly $28.6 million of reserves across special revenue and capital funds in 2025 to complete projects, while the general fund is budgeted to be approximately breakeven. The water enterprise fund currently comprises the largest share of the budget because of an $87 million water treatment plant construction program; staff described capital outlay totaling about $200 million in the 2025 budget across multiple projects.
Staff said year-to-date spending stood at about 14% of the annual budget — below the 25% point in the year — largely because many capital projects spend later in construction season. Staff highlighted major projects including the municipal service center, Rec Center expansion, Cherry Meadows Park (recently opened), Bridge Street widening and a payment to the E-470 Authority for Sable Boulevard improvements. Council members asked questions about E-470/Sable design timing and Tap/Rate coordination with Loch Buie; staff said Loch Buie had not recently changed its wastewater fee and that some payments had been made in anticipation of design progress.
No formal action was required; the presentation was received and staff will continue to provide quarterly financial updates.
