Northglenn staff outline conservative 2026 budget; public critic says presentation glosses over shortfalls

Deputy City Manager Jason Loveland presented the City of Northglenn’s proposed 2026 annual operating and capital improvement budget at a public hearing on Sept. 23, telling the council that the city expects just over $100 million across all funds and a proposed general‑fund expenditure of about $39.9 million.

Loveland said staff has been conservative on revenue forecasts because sales‑tax receipts remain below expectations, “down somewhere between 1 and a half, 2% month to month,” and the 2026 proposal factors in a roughly $2 million shortfall tied to weaker sales tax and the announcement that a local grocery store (Safeway) will close. He also said Weld County preliminary valuations pushed some property‑tax revenue forecasts higher and that the city’s general‑fund reserve policy is to maintain a minimum 25% fund balance; the proposed 2026 budget forecasts a larger cushion (roughly mid‑30s percent) under current assumptions.

Why it matters: The budget funds police, parks and recreation, public works and city administration and frames potential tradeoffs for services, personnel and capital projects. Loveland noted there are no new positions proposed for 2026 and that city staff continues to freeze some vacancies while monitoring revenues.

Public comment: Tim Long, a resident, pressed the council during the hearing for more transparency, pointing to what he described as a $15‑million citywide shortfall on a citywide summary and questioning increases in wastewater fund transfers and capital commitments. “I’m very, very concerned with what you’re looking at and what you’re presenting,” Long said. The public hearing was closed after commenters and council questions.

Next steps: After the hearing the council set a target date of Oct. 13 for formal adoption of the 2026 budget. Staff said it will continue to refine revenue projections, publish comparison material on sanitation rate proposals and schedule follow‑up material for council review before adoption.