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Thornton presents preliminary 2026 budget priorities: traffic, parks, fire staffing and controlled employee pay adjustments
Summary
City staff outlined high‑level recommendations for the 2026 budget including transportation projects, trail and open‑space investments, continued fire staffing and CAD replacement, targeted code and encampment resources, and modest employee cost‑of‑living and one‑time merit payments.
Thornton city staff on Tuesday presented a high‑level summary of the proposed 2026 budget, highlighting targeted capital projects, investments in public safety and parks, and employee compensation steps while noting revenue pressures from underperforming sales tax and slower development growth.
Major investment areas identified by staff included road and intersection improvements (A 104th Avenue widening, 130th Avenue/Quebec intersection improvements), construction of multi‑use trail segments (Big Dry Creek trail, Thornton Parkway path), continuation of remediation and redevelopment work at the Thornton Shopping Center site, and parks/open space trail upgrades.
Public safety and emergency response
The draft budget funds the first full year of operations at Fire Station 8 and supports the phased implementation of four‑person minimum staffing on engine companies, with additional hires and training for engine staffing and paramedic certification. Staff also proposed replacing the city’s CAD and records management system (an estimated $5 million implementation and an ongoing software cost) and formalizing the co‑responder program (currently grant‑funded pilot) into an ongoing in‑house program to respond to behavioral health and crisis calls.
Code, encampments and parks
Staff proposed increasing the annual abatement budget from 230,000 to $450,000 (a $220,000 increase) and adding staffing in parks and open space to canvass and respond to encampment issues so code enforcement can focus on private property compliance. Staff also proposed additional pickleball courts at Margaret Carpenter Park; councilmembers asked staff to confirm seating and shade elements for tournament use.
Employees and benefits
The proposal recommends a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for general non‑union employees plus a 0.5% one‑time merit payment that is not base‑building; staff estimated the combined cost at about $2.0 million across funds. Police would receive the same COLA plus contractual step increases; fire union contractual increases include a 5% raise for 2026 and rank/step adjustments for longevity and promotions. Health insurance projections include a 14.9% increase for Cigna plans and 0% for Kaiser; overall health‑insurance costs were projected to increase by about $1.6 million.
Budget process and timing
Staff said they will present detailed departmental budgets, capital project lists and fund‑level financial outlooks at budget review sessions on Sept. 4 and Sept. 9, with public hearings and readings scheduled later in September and October. Staff noted the proposed budget reflects a conservative approach given revenue uncertainty, while preserving priority projects and core services. No final budget was adopted; councilmembers and staff will continue deliberations during the scheduled budget review meetings.
