Thornton council amends 2026 budget to finish PFAS plant and fund road and police equipment projects

The Thornton City Council approved the third amendment to the 2026 budget, authorizing three targeted appropriations that staff said are necessary to complete ongoing capital and operational needs.

Budget and operations director Erica Cena told council the amendment includes: $54,716 in the general fund to purchase and train police on seven grappler bumper systems, to be paid from federal forfeiture funds; $695,000 in the governmental capital fund to design and construct intersection improvements at Riverdale Road and 128th Avenue (the city expects a 50% reimbursement from Adams County); and $11,351,065 in the water fund to cover additional costs to complete construction of a PFAS treatment plant at the Thornton Water Treatment Plant. Cena said the PFAS costs were offset by approximately $12,000,000 in revenue the city received from the national PFAS settlement.

Council members had no additional questions and moved the ordinance accepting the budget amendment. The council approved the ordinance on first reading by unanimous vote.

Staff said the intersection improvements will add a southbound right-turn lane and eastbound left-turn lane at Riverdale & 128th, improving traffic flow and safety for that corridor. Cena also noted procurement timing considerations for the police equipment and that the PFAS plant appropriation aligns with federal settlement funds received by the city.

The ordinance was introduced and approved on first reading; staff will proceed with procurement and project design as appropriate under the amended budget.