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Commerce City Q3 2025 report: sales and use tax up 13.2% year-to-date; one large permit skewed figures
Summary
Finance Director Theresa Wilson told council that through the third quarter the city's sales and use tax revenue was up 13.2% compared with 2024 (9.6% excluding a one-time $2.5 million permit); expenditures are tracking near budget though capital projects and ARPA-related items affect year-to-date comparisons.
Theresa Wilson, Commerce Cityfinance director, presented the city's third-quarter 2025 financial report, telling council that revenues and expenditures are generally tracking where staff expected but noting several one-time items and timing effects that influence year-to-date figures.
Wilson said licenses and permits are running well above budget this year largely because of a single large building permit she described as a roughly $2.5 million one-time item. "On a yearly basis, that 1 permit was 2 and a half million dollars," she said, and cautioned that such large, one-time events skew comparisons between years.
Sales and use tax receipts through the third quarter are up 13.2% compared with the same period in 2024; Wilson noted that figure would be about 9.6% when the large permit is excluded. She also flagged that some incentive-related agreements expected in the fourth quarter will result in refunds or rebates that will reduce the headline percentage at year end.
On expenditures, Wilson reported most categories are tracking to plan; general fund spending year to date is slightly under the amended budget target. She said certain categories show atypical percentages because they include ARPA-funded projects and because debt-service payments are paid in August and December, which affects mid-year appearances.
Wilson also summarized capital fund activity: capital projects have picked up this year, with significant spending on 96th Avenue widening, 88th Avenue improvements and the city safety action plan. City staff said they continue monthly analyses to identify any unusual carryovers or items that require council attention.
Council members asked clarifying questions about marijuana tax trends (Wilson said statewide legalization in other states has contributed to a long-term decline in marijuana-related revenues) and about the timing of the annual financial reports and audit (the 2025 audit and related comprehensive reports will continue into mid-2026 per the standard schedule). Wilson and staff said they will return with fourth-quarter adjustments and a detailed carryover analysis in February.
