Loveland presents a $33.24M 2026 budget emphasizing infrastructure and debt reduction
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Summary
City Manager Dave Kennedy and Finance Director Mark Medler presented the 2026 proposed budget totaling $33,240,506, highlighting $7.25M in estimated income tax revenue, continued capital projects including Lava Madeira Road Phase 1, and debt reductions in water and stormwater funds.
City Manager Dave Kennedy and Director of Finance Mark Medler presented the highlights of Loveland’s proposed 2026 budget at the council meeting, framing the document as one of stability and targeted capital investment.
Kennedy said the budget includes total revenues of $33,240,506 and estimated income tax receipts of $7,250,000, roughly $3 million higher than a decade earlier. The proposed budget holds full‑time equivalent positions steady at 59 and assumes a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for non‑bargaining personnel. The city anticipates no staff layoffs and continues to prepare for upcoming contract negotiations with two bargaining units in May.
Key capital projects called out in the presentation include the Lava Madeira Road Phase 1 (first of three phases), a road program allocation of $880,000 (bringing total 2020–2026 road program investments to about $6.8 million), sidewalk expansions and pedestrian connectivity, acquisition of about four acres of green space on Riverside Drive, traffic signal modifications at West Loveland and Lebanon, and PFOS remediation engineering work partially funded by EPA grants. Mark Medler noted an ongoing effort to reduce water fund debt and forecasted approximately $3.6 million in water debt retiring over the next decade, which staff said will help stabilize future water rates.
Medler also reviewed an annual software maintenance payment for the city’s budgeting software, ClearGov. The current contract year fee is $26,400; staff noted a 3% increase next contract year to approximately $27,001.92 and asked council to approve the payment since it exceeds the city manager’s purchasing threshold.
Council members and finance commission representatives praised staff for the budget work and the transparency the budgeting tools provide. The ordinance to appropriate funds was read as a first reading; staff said the budget and CIP would move forward for final approval in a subsequent session as required by charter and timeline.
