Boulder City Council
On Sept. 12, council will get its first look at the 2025 budget. Total proposed spending is $589.5 million, with a $399.3 million operating budget and $190.2 million in planned capital spending. The spending plan is “constrained but strategic,” city officials wrote in a public budget message, citing the rising costs of goods and services, a possible increase to minimum wage and expiring federal COVID relief money.
“As we’ve said repeatedly, economic factors are making this budget leaner than in previous years. Simply put, constraints require choices,” Rivera-Vandermyde said. “I am, nonetheless, proud of our recommendations, which balance support for promising programs that address some of our community’s greatest challenges with prudent, and in some cases, overdue, capital spending necessary for us to continue to deliver core services.”
The city’s operating budget is 6.7% larger than last year’s, with 24 new full-time employees. New hires include a community wildfire resilience coordinator, permanent urban park rangers and an attorney. The city will have a total of 1,539.1 employees.
Capital spending will increase by more than 34% as Boulder looks to maintain, renovate and replace its vehicle fleet and “several city buildings” including the North Boulder Recreation Center, Atrium, police headquarters and East Boulder Community Center.
Explore the city’s 2025 proposed budget at bit.ly/BoulderBudgetBW.
Louisville Planning Commission
On Sept. 12, the commission will vote on:
• Redevelopment of the former gas station at 947 Pine St. into The Birdie Bar, “a modern neighborhood tavern with outdoor miniature golf and indoor virtual state-of-the-art golf simulators,” according to notes shared with commission members.
• A mixed-use development at the intersection of South Boulder Road and Highway 42. The proposal includes 13,534 square feet of commercial space and 188 residential units, including 32 “micro-townhomes” ranging in size from 300 to 450 square feet.
Louisville City Council
On Sept. 17, the council will:
• Take a second vote on a proposed sugary drinks tax.
• Discuss several city contracts, including for custodial services, food and beverage, and mowing and landscape maintenance.
Superior board of trustees
On Aug. 26, the board unanimously approved regulations on short- term rentals, which included requiring annual licenses and prohibiting open fires including in a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. The ordinance also prohibits multiple short-term rentals on the same property.
All agenda items are subject to change. Mark Cathcart contributed reporting.
There will not be a Gov’t Watch in the Sept. 12 issue, which will be entirely devoted to arts and culture. Read more local news from Boulder Weekly.