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Council debates golf course subsidy, banners and trash costs as part of budget balancing
Summary
Commerce City councilors and staff discussed the Buffalo Run golf course subsidy and possible fee increases, the seasonal banner program and wayfinding signage, and a substantial trash-contract cost increase while weighing where to find budget savings.
Councilors used the budget workshop to revisit several operational and amenity decisions: the municipal golf course and clubhouse, the seasonal banner program, wayfinding signage, mowing contracts and the city’s contract for residential trash service.
Golf course and Bison Grill
Economic development staff and councilors noted the municipal golf operation and its restaurant are subsidized. Garrett Anderson said the combined operations are subsidized at "around a 30% rate," and that staff will present a recommended fee increase in October. He listed options for council consideration in the future, including closure, sale or contracting operations. Multiple councilors urged caution about either closing or selling the course because neighborhoods were built around the amenity and residents expect it to remain.
Banners, wayfinding and contract mowing
Councilors criticized the seasonal banner program on major corridors for reliability problems and recurring costs. Staff provided two figures for the banner program: one earlier citation of about $80,000 annually for maintenance and a later total program cost estimate around $230,000 (roughly $150,000 contractor costs plus $80,000 maintenance). The council voted to eliminate the banner program as part of the budget direction and to accelerate installation of a commercial wayfinding/signage program described by staff as nearing installation in late 2025.
Trash contract and curbside service
Councilors discussed a substantial increase in the budget for trash service; staff said trash contract costs rose by about $2.7 million compared with earlier budget levels and that the city will evaluate the contract terms. Council members urged staff to analyze alternatives, including a feasibility study to compare city-run versus contracted refuse collection and to return with negotiated contract terms in an executive-session format if necessary.
Operational and staffing notes
Staff recommended a modest, one-time transfer from the fleet internal service fund to reduce the general fund transfer to CIP for 2026 and proposed a 2 percent vacancy-savings budgeting factor. Several council members suggested administrative savings, better contract management and examining services that could be performed in-house instead of contracted. Councilors uniformly expressed reluctance to use furloughs or broad hiring freezes as primary means to balance the budget.
Ending: these operational topics will come back to council with cost estimates or contract terms for specific actions; the workshop vote advanced a package that removes the banner program and directs staff to find $1 million in additional reductions without specifying particular furloughs or hiring freezes.
