Glenwood Springs City Manager Steve Boyd presented the city’s proposed $106 million budget for 2026 during Thursday’s City Council meeting, describing it as a “blue-collar” plan that focuses on maintaining infrastructure, supporting public safety and developing city staff rather than new beautification projects.

The proposed spending plan is about 3.6% lower than the 2025 forecast and will be open for public review for two weeks before a public hearing and final adoption vote later in October.

“This budget is really about maintaining and improving the resources that we’ve got now,” Boyd told council. “We don’t believe in use-it-or-lose-it spending. Our culture is to try to bring budgets in under budget, instead of saying, ‘If I don’t spend it now, they’ll take it away from me.'”

The city’s general fund is projected at $29.5 million in both revenue and expenditures, a 0.7% and 1.2% increase respectively from 2025. About two-thirds of the fund goes to salaries and benefits for 123 employees, and roughly 40% of it supports police and fire services.

Boyd said the budget includes $11 million in street and infrastructure upgrades, $12 million for police and fire protection, $3 million for public transportation, $450,000 in parks and trails improvements, $750,000 for workforce housing, $500,000 in Community Center upgrades and $400,000 in professional development for city employees.

“We want to develop our people, and we want as many people as possible in this city that are wanting to and ready to take their boss’s job when it comes open,” Boyd said. “We’re working hard at that.”

The city expects to end 2026 with $11.6 million in unallocated reserves in the general fund — about 36% to 37% of expenditures — along with $3.3 million in the capital projects fund and $8 million in the acquisitions and improvements fund. Boyd said all reserves meet the recommendations of the Government Finance Officers Association and the city’s Financial Advisory Board.

“There are no layoffs planned in this budget, and there are no reductions in services planned in the 2026 budget,” Boyd said.

Boyd called the 2026 plan “very blue collar,” saying it focuses on maintaining and improving existing resources rather than expanding programs or funding new beautification projects.

Councilor Steve Smith asked whether the lack of beautification funding was temporary or a longer-term approach.

“I think both things are true,” Boyd said. “Things are tight right now, so we’re focused on getting things out of the budget that are wants and not needs where we can. It is also true that long term, I think we will do more beautification. The stuff comes up, but it’s going to be minimal, and it’s not going to be stuff that’s really expensive to maintain.”

Smith said he appreciated that response, noting that the city’s charm depends partly on how well its public spaces are maintained.

“Because it is a charming town, both for visitors and for residents,” Smith said. “A big part of that charm is public facilities that work. But a big part of that charm [is] public facilities that are beautiful, that are pleasant, that are enjoyable. So keeping an eye on that qualitative side as well, whenever we can, with our city’s own money or outside sources, I think, is a nice part of keeping this town enjoyable.”

Councilor David Townsley also praised the presentation and the city’s conservative financial approach.

“I think it’s a great job,” Townsley said. “Every time I dig into anything now, you hear about the national budget, you hear about the state budget, and everybody’s going back to the drawing board. So I think coming in under, looking at not increasing things — I think we’re on the right track.”

The proposed budget is now available for public inspection on the city’s website. A public hearing is scheduled in two weeks, followed by a final adoption vote at the next city council meeting.