To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Trish Muller, CPA, Finance Director
Title
Ordinance Adopting the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the Town of Castle Rock, Colorado (First Reading)
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
Town staff provided an overview of the Proposed 2026 Budget to Town Council and the community at the September 16, 2025 Council meeting. At this meeting, an overview of strategic budget priorities was addressed along with a review of departmental requests and emerging issues that affect long term planning for Castle Rock. Additionally, individual meetings occurred between the Town Manager and Council members to review budget requests included in the Proposed 2026 Budget.
On July 21, 2025 Town staff held a budget open house to receive input for the Proposed 2026 Budget from Castle Rock citizens. Multiple questions were asked during the open house. Feedback received was consistent with the Town’s budget priorities with public safety, transportation, parks, open space, and long-term water being identified by respondents as their funding priorities. In addition, the Town conducted a community survey that further supported these priorities and prompted the proposal by Town staff of an additional priority related to open space which is presented in the Proposed 2026 Budget.
The Proposed 2026 Budget is being presented tonight on first reading, with second and final reading planned at the October 21st Town Council meeting. Public hearings/public input on the proposed budget will be conducted at both meetings. Readings of a resolution approving the 2026-2030 Balanced Financial Plan, a resolution approving the 2026-2030 Five-year Capital Improvement Plan, and first reading of an ordinance levying general property taxes for the year 2025, for 2026 collection, are also planned for this council meeting.
Attached to this memo are the ordinance to adopt the budget (Attachment A), the 2026 Budget Message (Attachment B), which provides an explanation and summary of the proposed budget and major issues. The complete Proposed 2026 Budget, along with revenue and expenditure detail and a budget-in-brief document, is available on the Town’s website at https://www.crgov.com/3818/2026-Budget.
Proposed Motion
““I move to approve the ordinance adopting the 2026 Budget for the Town of Castle Rock, Colorado.”
Attachments
Attachment A: Ordinance
Attachment B: Proposed 2026 Budget Message