Littleton City Council Adopts Comprehensive Plan And 2020 Budget

LITTLETON, CO — The Littleton City Council unanimously approved the Envision Littleton Comprehensive Plan and Transportation Master Plan Tuesday. The creation of both plans began in March, 2018, and included small group sessions, interviews and other events with community members, the city said.

“Thank you to this council. This took a lot of heavy lifting, long hours, debates; and a lot of conversations, discussions, disagreements and agreements," Mayor Debbie Brinkman said in a statement. "But we all share a passion for this community. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t. This is a labor of love from us to the community.”

Envision Littleton included more than 8,300 in-person conversations and over 70,000 electronic communications, city officials said. Both draft plans were available for public feedback, which was reviewed by the city council and the planning commission Oct. 8. The planning commission then recommended the adoption of the plans Oct. 14.

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The city council unanimously approved the 2020 budget, which Littleton's Leadership Team began working on in early summer. City staff and the city council held an all-day budget workshop Sept. 7, with a follow-up study session Sept. 24.

The council considered 18 policy questions, which include: funding a major update of the city code, creating an Economic Strategic Plan and continuing Envision Littleton efforts. Other projects include: the addition of four new employees (Crime Lab Technician and three Utility Operators), increased employee compensation, increased cyber security, improved disaster recovery and risk management; and expansion of the police co-responder program to help people who need mental health and substance abuse services.

More than $1.4 million was approved for extensive park investments, with almost $500,000 reimbursed from Open Space grants:

• Writer's Vista Park restroom and shelter replacement;
• Hamlet Park playground, shelter, basketball court and trail replacement;
• restroom remodel at the Carson Nature Center;
• design work for the Berry and Ida Park playgrounds;
• the Southbridge Park ball field, playground and shelter replacement; and
• major trail wayfinding signage.

The fiscally constrained 5-Year Capital Projects Fund shows little funding for large transportation investments, fleet and information technology replacement, and investment in public buildings. Deferred maintenance will lead to much higher replacement costs, the city said. The city council is looking for revenue sources to fund infrastructure needs.

The budget is available on the city’s website.