2009 Budget Reduction

The City of Fort Collins is facing revenue shortages in three major areas:

• Transportation - decreases in federal, state, and local funds have left us with a $4.7 million shortfall
• Development-Related Revenue - decreases in development-related fees and taxes have created a $1 million shortfall
• Sales and Use Tax Collections - Slumping sales and use tax collections have created an additional $2 million shortfall in the City’s General Fund.

Service Reductions
The City is taking immediate steps to reduce costs to address these revenue shortfalls.  We've frozen nearly all vacant positions, except public safety, and the majority of those positions will be eliminated in the 2010/2011 budget. Residents will notice some reduction in service levels. For example:

• Residential street and bike lane sweeping will be reduced to twice a year.
• The pavement maintenance program (patching, pothole repair, etc.) is being reduced by approximately 5%.
• The City will no longer grade and maintain public alleys.
• Code inspections related to neighborhood standards will take longer to review and correct.
• Plan review for building permits and response to building record requests will be extended 1-2 weeks.
• Reduce promotion of air quality programs such as diesel emissions, Climate Challenge and ozone awareness
• Delay City Park Shelter renovation and other parks projects
• Delay replacement of Cable 14 cameras
• Eliminate July 4 entertainment at City Park (except fireworks which are sponsored by PVHS)
• Scale back community sponsorships
• Delay repairs/upgrades to restrooms at Oak Street Parking Lot
• Decrease funding for hourly employees and overtime
• Overall reductions in office expenses, advertising, travel and training.

2010 – 2011 Budget
The City is in the process of creating the 2010-2011 Budget.  The first step is to evaluate overall community priorities.

Share Your Thoughts on Community Priorities

Weigh In on Budget Priorities

City Council has identified seven community priorities:

• Economic Health
• Environmental Health
• Neighborhood Livability
• Safe Community
• Cultural, Recreational, and Educational Opportunities
• Transportation
• High Performing Government

We need your help determining which areas you value most. We have created an online worksheet for you to tell us how to prioritize the funding of these community goals. Fill out the online worksheet »

2010-2011 Budget Timeline

Ask Budget Questions or Provide Comments

Submit your comments. Your feedback will be shared with City Council and the City Manager.