Alamosa council approves first reading of 2026 budget ordinance, schedules Oct. 15 public hearing

The Alamosa City Council approved on first reading an ordinance making the annual appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and set a public hearing for Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.

Heather (finance director) told the council that total revenues are projected at just under $42 million while planned expenditures are about $47 million, a difference the city plans to cover with previously saved funds and grant pass-throughs. “For the first time in the 12 years I’ve been here, we are actually projecting sales tax for this year at a much lower percentage increase than we ever have,” Heather said, describing slower sales-tax growth and mixed results across enterprise and restricted funds.

The budget presentation listed major capital projects for 2026, including the Downtown Alley project, Pike Avenue, Hunt Avenue, West Sixth Street, the Murphy Lift Station, aeration system work at the wastewater treatment plant, a chemical room at the water treatment plant, and arsenic treatment engineering. Staff also emphasized heavy investment in infrastructure and public safety and noted that capital spending exceeds $12 million.

City staff said the general fund is projected to collect about $20.6 million, with taxes accounting for roughly 54 percent of that figure and intergovernmental revenue about 35 percent. The enterprise fund, covering utilities, is projecting about $9.6 million in revenue and roughly $11.6 million in expenditures, with capital work driving much of the difference.

Council members thanked city staff and finance personnel for months of work preparing the budget. The motion to approve the ordinance on first reading and to set a public hearing passed unanimously.

The council’s public hearing will allow residents to comment before the council considers final adoption.