Longmont proposes unchanged 2027 city, downtown authority tax levies

The proposed city levy is 13.420 mills and the Downtown Development Authority’s is 5 mills; the city levy ordinance would need revision if voters approve a separate public-safety property-tax measure.

Boulder County

Chart comparing utility costs in Longmont and other Colorado-area cities across water, sewer, storm drainage, sanitation and electric services.

Published at October 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Longmont staff have proposed keeping 2027 property-tax levies at 13.420 mills for the city and 5 mills for the Downtown Development Authority, matching 2026 rates. The city levy ordinance would need to be amended if voters approve a separate public-safety property-tax measure, staff said in the Oct. 6 City Council packet. The packet scheduled a second reading and public hearing on the levy ordinances for Oct. 20.

On Nov. 3, voters will decide two public-safety tax measures that the city projects would raise about $19.5 million annually in their first full year: an additional property-tax levy of up to 2.44 mills beginning with 2027 tax collections, and a 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 the council with proposed budget changes; approval would not automatically adjust the budget.

The proposed $547.5 million budget would draw down about $40.2 million from 15 major funds. Those funds account for 94.5% of the city’s total budget. Staff project about $477.3 million in revenue and $517.5 million in expenditures, according to the Sept. 22 City Council budget presentation.

The proposal includes $95 million in 2027 capital investments, led by about $30.7 million for water projects, $18.5 million for electric projects and $16.1 million for transportation. 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.

Staff 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 target range of 17% to 22%.

The proposed budget is scheduled for first reading on Nov. 17 and second reading on Dec. 1, with implementation planned for Jan. 1, 2027, according to the city’s budget documents.