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Council approves budget, police technology surcharge, fees and other measures; several items split votes
Summary
At its Nov. 25 meeting the council approved the 2026 annual budget (7-2), a municipal court amendment (7-2), a police technology surcharge (6-3), DRE fee changes (9-0), and other ordinances; the council also approved a resolution opposing the state AGs lawsuit over US Space Command relocation (7-2).
Colorado Springs City Council approved a series of ordinances and resolutions on Nov. 25 affecting budgets, fees and public safety funding.
Police technology surcharge and municipal court changes: Sherry McDaniel, the citys chief financial officer, outlined ordinance language for a police department technology surcharge that limits proceeds to police technology systems used for response, investigation and documentation. McDaniel noted a $1.5 million increase in the police departments contractual obligations tied to an Axon contract referenced in the 2026 budget narrative. The ordinance establishing the police technology surcharge (Item 9B) passed 6-3. A companion municipal court amendment addressing failure-to-pay fines (Item 9C) passed 7-2.
2026 annual budget: The council adopted the annual budget and appropriated funds for the year ending Dec. 31, 2026 after brief staff availability for questions; the budget passed 7-2.
Development review fees: Kevin Walker, planning director, explained a proposed 16% overall increase in the Development Review Enterprise (DRE) fee schedule to align fees with cost-of-service; residential alteration fees were cited as an example (proposed $130). The council approved the DRE fee ordinance 9-0, and staff committed to improved monthly/quarterly reporting and to study splitting the enterprise into separate planning and fire construction services for possible implementation in 2027.
Space Command resolution: Councilman Rainey introduced a resolution opposing the Colorado attorney generals lawsuit seeking to challenge the presidents relocation of US Space Command. The resolution urged collaboration rather than litigation and asked the mayor to join the council in opposing the lawsuit; it passed 7-2.
Votes and tallies in the transcript reflect individual roll-call outcomes as recorded at the meeting.
