Collbran trustees adopt 2026 budget, approve mill levy

The Town of Collbran Board of Trustees voted to adopt the town’s 2026 budget and annual appropriation during its Dec. 9 meeting, approving Resolutions 2025-23 and 2025-24 by a 5-0 vote. Trustee Winkleblack moved to approve the resolutions; Mayor Lietz seconded the motion and the board recorded unanimous approval.

Town Clerk Mr. Boyd presented the budget and explained identified deficits and potential capital improvements, noting the sewer fund includes contingencies for aging infrastructure. An audience member asked where a reported $304,000 general-fund deficit would be covered; Mr. Boyd said it would be made up from the fund balance and pointed to the packet’s fund-balance analysis. Mr. Boyd also said of line-item budgeting, “It is important to add money at the beginning but just because it is in the budget doesn’t mean we have to spend it.”

Members of the public asked whether CDPHE water-grant expenditures must be included in the budget; Mr. Boyd said grant-funded items that are reimbursed can be brought to the board later for approval. The board also discussed fee-rate studies for utility billing; Mr. Boyd and an attendee referenced a fee study reportedly done by KLJ that the town did not have on hand.

Town Council Chris McAnany and Mr. Boyd reviewed mill-levy mechanics during continued discussion. The board certified a mill levy of 6.046 mills for 2026; an audience member recalled the previous year’s levy was about 7.14 mills. Mr. McAnany said the town chose not to use a temporary property tax credit because rising property values and statutory limits on mill-levy increases would affect future years.

The board’s adoption of the budget launches the town’s fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Board members said they expect to revisit specific capital projects and fee studies in future meetings.