What To Do On A Thursday

City Council has a study session tonight at 6:30 in City Council Chambers. No public comment is taken at study sessions. They will be reviewing the City’s 2018 budget. City Council and Staff develop budgets in two year cycles. The first year of the cycle involves more planning and policy discussion. They strive to anticipate all budget needs for the next two years. The second year is supposed to require less planning and discussion, with adjustments being made to accommodate changes. This is the second year in the cycle, so should require few changes.

On the revenue side, we continue to make more in sales and use tax than anticipated (a great problem to have) and property tax revenue has increased as well.

As far as expenses–health care costs for employees continue to rise. The Planning department will spend an extra $200K to develop a Transportion plan and a Historic Preservation Plan, and to establish a Rental Assistance Program as part of the Affordable Housing Initiative.

The City wants to add several full-time positions: Long Range Planner, Engineering Inspector, Police Captain, Two Patrol Officers, Fire Operations Officer, Senior Maintenance Worker, Aquatics Specialist. In addition, they plan to reclassify some of the Police Department employees and to increase wages for part-time employees.

To view the operating budget, including the numbers from 2015, 2016, and 2017 for comparison purposes, see the meeting packet.

They will also discuss a request that the city develop “single track” dirt trails in addition to the paved trails that we already have.

They will conclude with an executive session (closed to the public) to discuss possible purchase of two pieces of property–one at Heritage Road and Berthoud Way, and one at 23rd Street and Vernon Road.

The meeting will be shown live through the city website and on cable channel 8, and of course, you can attend in person.