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Boulder council adopts 2026 budget ordinances, programming TMF and fee changes
Summary
Council approved the city’s 2026 budget package: Ordinance 8722 (budget) passed 8–1; Ordinances 8723, 8724 and 8727 passed unanimously. The package programs a $2.25M Transportation Maintenance Fee and identifies a $7.5M general fund shortfall if left unaddressed.
Boulder City Council completed second‑reading votes Oct. 23 to adopt the city’s 2026 fiscal package, approving separate ordinances on the budget, property mill levies, appropriations and fee changes. The council approved Ordinance 8722 adopting the 2026 budget on an 8–1 vote; Ordinances 8723 (property mill levies), 8724 (appropriations) and 8727 (fee and tax amendments) each passed unanimously.
Charlotte Huskey, the city’s budget officer, delivered a condensed overview of the recommended 2026 budget and a six‑year capital improvement plan. Staff projected total city revenues of about $407.2 million for 2026 and identified a $7.5 million general fund shortfall that required reductions, realignments and one‑time funding decisions. Huskey described a six‑year CIP totaling hundreds of millions across many capital projects and noted that the budget incorporated the Transportation Maintenance Fee at $2.25 million in 2026 and other fee changes that together contribute to the city’s long‑term funding strategy.
Council members raised questions about social‑safety‑net impacts, SNAP benefit timing and reserve policy. Several members asked staff to continue monitoring emergency indicators and to return with criteria for reserve use. During the public hearing, Maria Stepan of the Center for People with Disabilities urged continued support for the Elevate Boulder guaranteed‑income pilot; staff said they currently lack ongoing city funds for Elevate but will assist private fundraising and consider matching if external funds are raised.
Roll call votes recorded for each ordinance are included in council minutes. Ordinance 8722 (adopt budget) passed 8–1 with Council Member Adams voting no and all other members voting yes. The other ordinances passed unanimously. Staff said they will continue to monitor economic indicators, coordinate with community partners on human‑services responses, and return to council promptly if emergent needs (such as SNAP benefit disruptions) call for budget modifications.
Next steps: ordinances will be finalized and staff will present further reserve‑use criteria and any recommended mid‑year adjustments to council.
