Thornton council approves first 2025 budget amendment to fund fire and police items and a special election

The Thornton City Council unanimously approved the first amendment to its 2025 budget on April 23, adding appropriations across multiple funds to cover emergency management equipment, pay adjustments for fire union members, police forfeiture expenditures and costs of a special election for the Ward 1 vacancy.

Budget manager Erica Cena told council the amendment appropriates $158,814 in the general fund to cover two fire department grants for emergency management equipment; $90,386 in the general fund to increase fire union base pay; $45,568 in the general fund for two federal forfeiture expenditures for the police department (including $35,000 earmarked for vehicle/body‑camera integration equipment and $10,000 for a Scribe Stoppers reward fund); and $78,650 to cover the full cost of the Ward 1 special election.

Why it matters: the appropriations provide equipment and personnel pay adjustments for public safety functions and ensure the city is funded to hold the Ward 1 special election. Councilmember Martinez introduced the ordinance and the council voted to adopt the amendment following staff presentation.

Council members thanked staff for preparing the amendment and noted the items had been discussed previously in planning sessions. No member requested changes during the meeting; the ordinance passed on voice vote followed by unanimous roll call.

Ending: The amendment will be incorporated into the city budget for fiscal year 2025; staff will proceed with procurement and scheduling of equipment purchases and election preparations consistent with the appropriations.