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Denver council sponsors optional biennial budget, public-engagement and balanced‑budget charter changes
Summary
Councilmembers sponsoring a proposed charter amendment told the Budget & Policy Committee they want an optional two‑year budget cycle, a required public process to inform a two‑year strategic plan, a simplified budget timeline, and a charter definition of "balanced budget." Department of Finance staff flagged timing and threshold questions the sponsors say they will resolve before committee review.
Councilmembers sponsoring a package of charter changes told Denver’s Budget & Policy Committee that they want to give the city the option of a two‑year budget, expand resident input during budget development, simplify the budget calendar, and add a charter definition for a balanced budget.
Councilmember Amanda Sawyer, one of the sponsors, said the package is meant to increase transparency and reduce surprises that can force midyear layoffs. "The uses of the general fund... it was approximately $1,500,000,000 in 2024," she said as she outlined the size of the fund and why stronger oversight matters. Sponsors proposed four primary changes: make an optional biennial (two‑year) budget available; require a public process and a two‑year strategic plan informed by resident feedback; move and simplify several calendar dates used to prepare the budget; and add charter language requiring the mayor to propose appropriation reductions by ordinance if…
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