Longmont’s proposed 2027 budget would draw down $40.2 million
The $547.5 million proposal includes $95 million in capital projects and does not assume revenue from two public-safety tax measures voters will consider Nov. 3.
Longmont’s proposed $547.5 million 2027 budget would draw down about $40.2 million from 15 major funds while directing its largest capital investments to water, electric and transportation projects.
The figures come from the city’s Sept. 22 City Council packet, which summarizes staff’s Sept. 1 budget presentation. The 15 funds account for 94.5% of the city’s total budget. Staff projected about $477.3 million in revenue and $517.5 million in expenditures.
The proposal includes $95,023,287 in 2027 capital investments. Water projects account for about $30.7 million, followed by electric projects at about $18.5 million and transportation projects at about $16.1 million. Highlighted work includes water-distribution rehabilitation, asphalt pavement management, rehabilitation of the South Pratt Parkway bridge and design of a fourth digester at the wastewater treatment plant.
The projected 2027 ending balances include $15.16 million in the Water Fund, $19.41 million in the Sewer Fund, $14.07 million in the Electric Fund, $7.74 million in the Storm Drainage Fund and $5.77 million in the Sanitation Fund. The budget presentation identifies projected drawdowns of about $9.07 million in the Water Fund and $3.98 million in the Sewer Fund, primarily for capital projects.
The General Fund reserve is projected at 19.4%, within the city’s adopted target range of 17% to 22%.
The budget does not assume revenue from two public-safety tax measures on the Nov. 3 ballot. The measures are projected to raise about $19.5 million annually in the first full year through an additional property-tax levy of up to 2.44 mills beginning with 2027 tax collections and an additional 0.33% city sales-and-use tax beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
The ballot language restricts the proceeds to maintaining or increasing public-safety services, including police, emergency response, fire services, personnel and equipment. If voters approve the measures, staff would return to City Council with proposed budget modifications; the budget presentation does not specify those changes or establish an automatic adjustment.
The proposal is scheduled for first-reading budget ordinances on Nov. 17 and second reading on Dec. 1, with implementation planned for Jan. 1, 2027, according to the city’s 2027 budget documents. The proposal could change before adoption.