Buena Vista trustees adopt 2026 budget, fee schedule and certify mill levy

Trustees on Wednesday adopted the town’s 2026 budget, a revised fee schedule and related resolutions that set spending plans and the property tax levy.

Staff summarized changes since the prior meeting: an increase in public-support funding to $32,500, a decision to set Economic Development Corporation funding to zero in this draft, a transfer of about $6,300 from capital to the general fund for website-accessibility work, carryover accounting for the Carbonate Street childcare center, and a new $2,500 water-fund line for soil and water quality testing.

The board approved the fee schedule (Resolution 77) by motion. Trustees then adopted the budget (Resolution 78) and appropriated the necessary funds (Resolution 79); roll-call votes recorded affirmative votes from board members (Trustee Swisher, Trustee Stern, Trustee Rhodes, Trustee Rice and Trustee Hykes on the budget; Trustee Hike, Trustee Rice, Trustee Roe, Trustee Sterner and Trustee Swisher on the appropriation). Finally, the board certified the town’s mill levy (Resolution 80). Staff explained the town’s compliance with TABOR (Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights) constraints and said the nominal mill rate (9.034 mills) will be temporarily adjusted to an effective rate of about 4.89 mills to align allowable revenue growth with statutory limits.

Staff said the budget is structurally balanced, while noting some projects will use fund balance for one-time capital carryovers. Trustees discussed the drone-park and recreation line items and directed staff to work with the drone group and the recreation department on possible trade-offs if savings or unspent funds become available.

What’s next: Staff will finalize documentation and post adopted budget materials; follow-up tasks include a water-rate study and capital-improvement planning referenced in other agenda items.