Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) Regular Meeting - October 21, 2026

The Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) met Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. local time (14:30 UTC) in City Council Chambers at 911 10th Street, Golden, CO. The committee reviewed the proposed 2027-28 operating and capital improvement budget, heard updates from the Police Department and the City Manager's office, and acted on bylaws and scheduling.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved unanimously after discussion of a September minutes correction.
• Minutes of the September 16, 2026 meeting approved unanimously; corrections included adding an omitted member to attendance and removing a duplicate name.

CBAC Bylaws Discussion

• Chair Loretta Huff withdrew a proposal to amend the bylaws to allow remote participation, citing unresolved impacts such as monitoring live feeds. The committee voted unanimously to keep the bylaws as written, last updated in 2023.

2027-2028 Proposed Operating/CIP Budget

• Director of Finance Joe Allaire presented the same draft budget presentation given to City Council, emphasizing it is a working document subject to change before adoption on December 8, 2026.
• General fund revenue (excluding transfers) is projected at approximately $46.1 million in 2027 and $43.3 million in 2028; expenditures are approximately $42.2 million in 2027 and $42.7 million in 2028. Transfers out, driven heavily by the fire fund, are $3.7 million in 2027 and $4.9 million in 2028.
• Property tax revenue is projected to decline in 2027 due to State of Colorado assessment-rate changes, then remain flat in 2028, affecting both the General Fund and the Fire Fund. The budget assumes 1% sales tax growth in each budget year.
• The General Fund meets its 20% reserve target, ending 2027 at about 35% and 2028 at about 25% (before typical turnover/vacancy savings).
• The proposed General Fund transfer to the Fire Fund is $3.4 million in 2027 and $4.5 million in 2028, bringing the Fire Fund balance down to $50,000. Members discussed the 6-mill fire levy and the need for a longer-term funding discussion before the 2028 budget review.
• Staffing proposals include two additional firefighter positions offset by reduced overtime, one grant-funded community energy coordinator for two years, conversion of an unfilled community service officer position to a sworn patrol officer for the creek/downtown, and additional part-time support. The open graphic designer position will be contracted instead of filled.
• Capital investments highlighted include water and wastewater system improvements, the Lena Gulch drainage project (largely grant-funded), Colfax Complete Street, Heart of Golden remaining work, Highway 93 design, ADA improvements, and park playground replacements.
• Unfunded requests include full-time physicians, Taser 10 upgrades, Axon Draft One software, a paramedic program, Fire Station 22 design/construction, and energy program rebate increases.
• Committee questions addressed property tax drivers, water and wastewater fund balances (cash vs. asset value), the community center transfer increase from $200,000 to $900,000, and the city's sales tax report, which is flat to budget; the lodging tax has rebounded. Joe Allaire will distribute the presentation slides.
• An update was provided on the prior marijuana-fund recommendation: the city is moving forward with a $50,000 budget amendment ($25,000 for housing insecurity and $25,000 for food insecurity). First reading is scheduled for October 27, 2026, and second reading for November 10, 2026.

Police Department Update

• Police Chief Michelle Wagner reviewed budget-related items before the committee.
• Funded items include: conversion of an unfilled CSO position to a sworn officer (sworn count from 53 to 54 of 71 employees), a second photo radar van (near revenue-neutral), a repurposed patrol vehicle for CSOs ($20,000 downfit, saving roughly $70,000), and Blue Voice software (about $9,000 in year one and $17,000 in year two).
• Deferred or unfunded items include a civilian training/recruitment coordinator, Taser 10 upgrades, and Axon Draft One AI-assisted report-writing licenses.
• On e-bikes/e-motos, the Chief said the city can regulate through ordinances, a regional approach is being pursued, and a Council study session is planned for December 8, 2026.
• The Chief reported about 15 bears tracked in the city, likely entering hibernation; Colorado Parks and Wildlife is involved due to habituation concerns.
• Wagner also discussed the department's compressed work week as a recruitment/retention tool that reduces overtime, while noting challenges with shift overlap and information sharing.

City Manager Update

• Steve Glick, attending in place of Interim City Manager Carly Lorentz, reported that the City Manager position was posted October 16, 2026, and Council hopes to review applications and make a decision by early December.
• The fire chief selection is expected to be made by the incoming City Manager. Sarah Ott has been assisting Interim City Manager Carly Lorentz.
• The Annex property is expected to be listed for sale early 2027, with proceeds exceeding the $2.5 million budgeted and acquisition targeted by end of June.
• Municipal building tours remain unavailable until after February 2027; substantial completion is scheduled for the end of May, with move-in by the end of June.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and corrected September minutes approved unanimously.
• Motion passed unanimously to keep CBAC bylaws unchanged.
• CBAC will continue budget discussion on November 4, 2026, at the Golden Community Center, and scheduled a potential follow-up meeting for November 18, 2026, if needed after the November 10 Council study session.
• Loretta Huff and Sandy Curran, joined by Jim Dale and Bill Litz, will draft the CBAC budget recommendation letter for review.
• Chair/vice-chair elections will be held at a November meeting.
• Community Conversations was shortened to accommodate the Police and City Manager updates.