SUBJECT:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Adopting the 2026 Budget
Department
DEPARTMENT: Finance
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Sara Hancock, Finance Director
Cassie Bethune, Budget & Fiscal Manager
end
Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 40 minutes
end
For time estimate: please put 0 for Consent items.
Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
The Town Council must approve the budget for the Town each year in accordance with both the Home Rule Charter and State law.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Conduct the Public Hearing and approve the 2026 Budget.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
• The budget provides funding for all Town of Erie programs, services, capital projects, and initiatives in 2026.
• The budget reflects revenue in all funds totaling about $144 million, and expenditures in all funds totaling about $393 million, offset by debt issuances for major utilities and public facilities. A link to the online version of the Proposed 2025 Budget can be found here: <https://town-erie-co-cleardoc.cleargov.com/20144/769681/d>.
• Town Code specifies the Town Manager shall cause a proposed budget to be prepared and submitted to the Town Council annually and be responsible for the administration of the budget after its adoption.
• Through this agenda item, staff asks Council to conduct the 2nd Public Hearing on the proposed 2026 Budget, which reflects updates based on direction from Council during the Oct.14 review and Oct. 21 1st Public Hearing, and then adopt the resolution approving the budget.
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
On Oct. 15, 2025, staff sent the proposed 2026 Budget to Council for review. On Oct. 21, 2025, staff provided an overview of the proposed 2026 Budget including Budget Priorities, General Fund Summary, Revenue Projections, Operating Expenditures, Personnel & Position Requests, Department Budget Presentations, and a high level summary of Capital Expenditures. On Oct. 28, Council held the first Public Hearing to solicit public comments on the proposed budget. After those reviews and the public hearing, staff incorporated changes the Council wanted to see in the proposed budget. During this second Public Hearing on Nov. 18, staff will present the final proposed budget for adoption by the Council.
The attached budget reflects projections of revenues and expenditures based on the latest actual numbers in each category, the preliminary assessed property valuations recently received from Boulder and Weld counties, and the Council direction given during earlier study sessions and the 1st Public Hearing.
The attached budget overview and schedules provide a narrative overview of the budget, a summary of changes in fund balance/working capital in all funds, and summary and detailed budget schedules.
priorities
attachments
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. 2026 Proposed Budget Memo - 2nd Hearing
2. 2026 Budget Presentation
3. 2026 Capital Project List
4. 2026 Proposed Budget Book
5. Resolution and Schedule A