DENVER CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCES CITYWIDE BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR CHALLENGING 2010 BUDGET CYCLE

(DENVER)  In one of the most difficult fiscal environments in current history, the Denver City Council is collectively identifying key principles and priorities to support the complex decisions necessary during the 2010 budget cycle.    Requiring efficiency and accountability in all City departments, maintaining core services, and aligning expenditures with the City’s basic needs will be the focus for this year’s budget.

v      Economic and environmental sustainability – Capitalizing on federal stimulus funding, the Council encourages economic development investments that will implement existing plans.  Job creation should be the top focus as we direct resources in ways that will make our economy and environment sustainable for years to come.

v      Neighborhoods – Strong recreation, library, and cultural opportunities take on renewed significance in tough economic times, as Council strives to prioritize people over things and stabilize distressed Denver neighborhoods. Council supports efforts that foster community pride and neighborhood spirit such as block parties and street fairs.  Similar to years past, an emphasis on coordinated Neighborhood Inspection Services remains critical.

v      A Well-Planned City –Council has adopted numerous plans establishing a vision for a well-planned city and specific strategies and recommendations for achieving it. In hard times, it can be easy to lose sight of the vision.  Council will strive to keep the vision in mind as we monitor our actions to assure coordinated and fiscally efficient implementation of recommendations in the Strategic Transportation Plan, the FasTracks station area plans, Parks and Recreation plans, and others.  We will scrutinize the evolving strategies of the Strategic Parking Plan and the Solid Waste Master Plan for coordination, financial savings, and accountability. 

v      A Safe and Clean City – Council recognizes that safety is basic to the quality of life in our city, and safety continues as a top priority for all districts.  The continued investment of mill levy dollars in the maintenance of our public infrastructure is wise fiscal policy and keeps people working.  Council will continue to do more with less as we work with neighbors and all departments to reduce graffiti.

v      Children and Families – The Council will collaborate wherever possible to find efficiencies with Denver Public Schools, supports maintaining school and neighborhood health clinics in underserved communities, and will forward efforts that help preserve strong families and protect vulnerable populations. 

Finally, the City’s new Zoning Code will consume much of the energy and attention of the Council in the next six months.  Setting an ambitious goal of adopting the new code by year’s end, Council recognizes that citizens must receive adequate information and continue to give us feedback about this effort.  Passage will culminate years of study and input from thousands of residents on a new land use vision for Denver.  The draft code and information on public meetings is available at www.newcodedenver.org.

For a complete list of goals, budget priorities and recommended actions please view the following document: