Mayor Suthers Presents A Balanced 2020 Budget To City Council

From the City of Colorado Springs:

Mon, 10/07/2019 - 10:29am

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Mayor John Suthers presented a balanced 2020 City Budget to Colorado Springs City Council today. The 2020 General Fund budget is $331.1 million, which is $23 million or 7.5% more than the 2019 budget.

Attached is Suthers’ letter to City Council outlining the allocation of funds in line with the City’s strategic plan goals: Promoting Job Creation, Investing in Infrastructure, Building Community and Collaborative Relationships, and Excelling in City Services.

2019 General Fund Highlights:

• $4.4 million of increased funding for 20 new sworn Police positions and 8 new sworn Fire positions and equipment
• $400,000 of increased funding for park maintenance, recreational and cultural service needs
• $1.45 million of increased funding for park watering
• $1.4 million continued funding for the City’s Americans with Disabilities Act operating and capital programs
• $550,000 of increased funding for city fleet replacement
• $500,000 of funding to support shelter bed operations for the homeless population
• $300,000 increased funding to Mountain Metro Transit
• $1.3 million continuing support to address Information Technology core infrastructure, applications, and cybersecurity improvements and sustainment
• $9.65 million to keep police and fire sworn compensation at the market average, increases for civilian compensation, and full-year funding for the portion of compensation that was phased in during 2019
• $1.0 million one-time increased funding for an aerial ladder truck for the Fire Department

The complete proposed 2020 budget is available at: coloradosprings.gov/budget

The latest episode of the City’s “Behind the Springs” podcast discusses the proposed 2020 Budget. Listen at https://coloradosprings.gov/podcast

Upcoming Important Budget Dates:

Oct. 18 City Council Budget Work Session

Oct. 21 Budget Public Hearing and Town Hall

Oct. 29 Budget Markup Session with City Council

Nov 12 First reading of 2020 Budget Ordinance at City Council

Nov 26 Second reading of 2020 Budget Ordinance at City Council

This press release was produced by the City of Colorado Springs. The views expressed here are the author’s own.