Boulder Leader

City of Boulder issued the following announcement on Sept. 3.

City Manager Jane Brautigam today released a proposed 2021 budget that prioritizes essential services amid challenging economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget reflects thoughtful and strategic coordination across the organization, as well as significant contributions by city employees.

The total proposed budget is $341.1 million. This represents a 7.7% decrease over the adopted 2020 budget (excluding transfers/internal service funds). This decrease reflects an estimated 16% drop in sales and use tax revenue in 2020 and continued cause for concern and conservatism in 2021.

Sales and use taxes are the key source of funding for core government functions like safety, roads and multi-use path infrastructure, parks, housing, human services, libraries, communication. It is also a source of funding for several dedicated revenue streams approved by voters for open space, transportation, and parks.

“I cannot overstate the challenge these kinds of revenue losses pose for local government. We appreciate the community’s patience with facility closures and other impacts in 2020, as we worked to keep our community safe and respond to new economic pressures, and I am sorry  to say that some of these impacts will continue into 2021,” Brautigam said. “Nevertheless, this budget preserves the most essential of our services while allowing us to stay flexible to adapt to what we hope will be improving conditions as next year unfolds.”

In making budget recommendations, all city departments explored new ways of delivering services and many developed innovative solutions. In addition, the city applied its newly created equity instrument to budget decisions, with staff members asking themselves how proposed reductions would impact communities of color and others who may be facing longstanding or increased challenges. Some potential cuts were not accepted as a result of this analysis.

“I am proud of the way staff across our organization stepped up, participated in difficult conversations, considered options and helped us develop a holistic, coordinated spending plan,” Brautigam said.

The proposed budget will allow the city to:

• Perform critical public safety functions, including policing, with an eye toward reform, improved oversight and engagement with the community, and increased collaboration with human service and mental health providers
• In coordination with human service agencies and community nonprofits, reinforce its commitment to basic human needs, including housing, health and availability of clean water and food; prioritize the continuation of innovative COVID-19 response programs, emphasize community mediation services, expand direct support to priority populations including older adults and families with lower incomes, and continue collaborative homelessness strategies that are yielding positive outcomes
• Proceed with implementing Vision Zero safety improvements while maintaining existing infrastructure, including snow/ice removal
• Care for Boulder’s extensive green and open spaces amid continuing high visitation; restore service levels, incrementally and with thoughtful prioritization, for Parks and Recreation, Open Space and Mountain Parks, Library and Arts programs affected by COVID-19, recognizing the important role these play in promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being
• Continue key planning initiatives, consistent with goals established by the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan, including CU South annexation and the associated South Boulder Creek Flood mitigation, the East Boulder Subcommunity Plan, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update
• Focus on ongoing climate action and zero waste initiatives, boosted by a new understanding about the importance of resilience and systems change to address deep-seated inequities that exacerbate our ability to respond and adapt to change
• Partner with the business community to preserve community vitality and vibrancy
• Operate top-of-their-class municipal court programs that focus on rehabilitative and restorative justice
• Maintain the city’s commitment to meaningful and inclusive engagement, launch an improved website and create a language access strategy to increase bi-lingual communication and participation
• Offer high quality internal services to departments through continued partnerships in technology, data reporting and innovation, and adherence to sound financial practices

While significant new expenditures are limited, the 2021 budget includes several critical investments, including:

• Bringing the Early Diversion, Get Engaged (EDGE) program, which pairs mental health providers with officers trained in crisis intervention to respond effectively to calls related to behavioral health, in-house under management by Housing and Human Services
• Investing in technology to boost the city’s efforts to collect and utilize data to support more informed decision-making
• Establishing annual funding toward replacement of radio infrastructure to ensure reliable and high-quality communications in emergencies
• Providing funding to support police accreditation, which will include a thorough review of the department and ensure Boulder officers are in alignment with national best practices in policing
• Providing employees with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for when they are in the workplace and out in the community

The 2021 proposed budget is not without its pain points, especially for city employees. In 2020, Boulder furloughed 741 employees and laid off, or termed as non-standard, 148. All remaining employees not in public safety roles took pay cuts through six furlough days, which resulted in $1.7 million in cost savings.

Employees will continue to share the impact of these challenging times in 2021. While the proposed budget reduces the number of furlough days for 2021 to two, there will be no merit increases for non-union city employees, members of the Boulder Municipal Employees Association (BMEA) and members of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), including those who are performing exceptional work.  In addition, 15 employees will not be returning to work in 2021, as their positions have been eliminated through workforce restructuring.

“I am grateful to my colleagues for these sacrifices. One of the primary reasons people choose to work for the City of Boulder – and stay here – is a commitment to public service. Time and time again, I have discovered that this commitment by our staff only deepens in times of trouble, and we owe them our gratitude,” Brautigam said.

Original source can be found here.