Alpine Council approves FY2027 budget with conditions, prioritizes roundabout funding and park-tax split

The Alpine City Council adopted the fiscal year 2027 final budget on a 4–1 roll call vote after adding several conditions and clarifications. Councilwoman Jessica Smuin moved the measure and Councilman Andrew Young seconded; the motion passed with Councilman Young recorded as the lone no vote.

The motion carried three principal modifications: first, the proposed executive and staff compensation increases (and new hire requests) were excluded from the FY2027 adoption and must return to council following a publicly noticed work session on the completed compensation study and long-term fiscal impacts no later than 2026-06-30. Second, funds earmarked for the Ridge Drive and Canyon Crest roundabout were to remain restricted for that project and not reallocated without subsequent council action; the motion further directed staff to continue engineering, grant administration and project development. Third, council set a park-tax allocation of 80% for parks and open space and 20% for historical/arts and culture projects.

Council members emphasized competing priorities in a constrained fund balance and asked staff to prepare clearer breakdowns of benefits, the capital-improvement schedule and grant timelines. As Finance and capital items were discussed, staff noted the FY2027 budget included street maintenance, a 5% wage placeholder and substantial capital projects; council agreed to prioritize traffic-calming measures ($50,000), Canyon Crest improvements and the roundabout as capital priorities.