Boulder Council adopts FY2027 tentative budget after correcting $53,738 formula error

Boulder Town Council adopted Version 9 of the Fiscal Year 2027 tentative budget at its May 5 regular meeting, approving the measure by a unanimous 5-0 vote.

Mayor Cheryl Cox presented Version 9 and told the council the packet corrected a $53,738 formula error discovered after Version 7 was posted for public review. Clerk Elizabeth Julian assisted the correction and the mayor said Version 9 uses averaged May–June state tax receipt figures from prior years to project non-property-tax revenue. That methodology increased projected non-property revenue by roughly $22,000–$25,000 compared with a conservative approach, she said, allowing the town to avoid previously planned reductions to staff hours and salaries.

Council Member John Veranth noted Version 9 represents roughly a 33% increase compared with FY2024–2025 actuals and urged clear public communication about the causes of the growth, including improved compliance and corrected structural deficits.

The council adopted the tentative budget on a motion by Council Member Josh Ellis, seconded by Council Member Tina Karlsson, by roll-call vote: Ellis—Aye; Karlsson—Aye; Veranth—Aye; Lacy Allen—Aye; Mayor Cheryl Cox—Aye.

Why it matters: The tentative budget sets the town's spending priorities and starts the public process that leads to the final FY2027 budget. Under the council's schedule, Version 9 and an updated presentation will be posted by May 22, a public hearing will be held June 2, and the final adopted budget must be submitted to the State Auditor by June 30.

Budget details and next steps: The council reviewed a 20-year property-tax history and confirmed Boulder receives under $20,000 annually in property tax revenue. That threshold affects the procedural route for any property tax adjustments (see related article on certified-rate outreach). The council also discussed the town's rainy-day fund (the PTIF balance at about 92% of allowable) and reported line-item reductions in Version 9—IT, building maintenance, office supplies, and postage—offset the corrected revenue shortfall.

Votes at a glance: - Adopt FY2027 Tentative Budget (Version 9): motion by Council Member Josh Ellis; seconded by Council Member Tina Karlsson; roll-call vote 5-0; outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (financial reports and minutes): approved by voice vote 5-0.

The council's tentative-budget action begins a public-notice and hearing schedule ahead of final adoption.