Boulder city manager’s proposed 2017 budget marks 2.1 percent decrease

BOULDER — Boulder City Manager Jane Brautigam on Wednesday released a recommended 2017 budget of $321 million, a decrease of of 2.1 percent compared to 2016.

The decrease is due to a $12 million reduction in capital spending. But the document also reflects just a 2 percent increase — to $260 million — to the operating portion of the budget.

City Council will hold an initial public hearing on the proposal at its Oct. 4 meeting. A second public hearing and final vote is slated for Oct. 18.

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City officials, in a release, said the smaller increases in spending and staffing compared to recent years is largely due slower-than-expected growth in retail sales tax revenue. Through June, retail sales tax revenues were up 2.28 percent versus the year before, but the city had projected 3.5 percent growth.

“Our community values excellence in service delivery and has made a commitment to a variety of valuable and innovative initiatives that will help define Boulder both now and in the future,” Brautigam said in the news release. “At the same time, it is tempered by uncertain economic indicators that underscore the importance of boosting reserves and preparing for possible emergencies or downturns.”

The new budget proposal calls for the addition of 6.12 full-time equivalent positions to be added to the city staff. Several others will be reclassified from seasonal to standard to comply with federal health-care and compensation requirements.