Westminster reviews proposed 2026 budget that emphasizes repurposing staff, capital work and utility investments

City Manager Jody Andrews and the city’s budget team presented the proposed 2026 city budget during a Sept. 15 Westminster City Council study session, describing a “lean” plan that repurposes staff, adds two positions and increases capital spending while keeping the overall budget balanced.

Andrews said the budget is “a lean budget, for 2026. That acronym stands for lean, efficient, and aligned to our community's needs,” and stressed that staff have prioritized repurposing vacant positions rather than adding new ones. “There are only 2 new staff positions in this budget,” Andrews told council, identifying one for the shared 9‑1‑1/telecommunications team and one traffic technician focused on signal maintenance and performance.

The nut graf: the proposed all‑funds budget is approximately $371 million after internal transfers, staff said, with a capital plan of roughly $76 million for 2026 and a marked increase in the transfer from the general fund to the General Capital Improvement Fund (GCIF). The presentation said the GCIF transfer would rise from $6.9 million in 2025 to $13.5 million in 2026 to support projects including arterial and concrete road repairs, fiber for public safety and downtown infrastructure work.

Policy and budget manager Erin Ferriter walked council through the development process and said the draft aligns with the city’s strategic plan and with council direction given during the 2025 budget debriefs. Assistant City…