Suthers pitches plan to pay for police body cameras, stormwater in 2016 budget

The City of Colorado Springs says Mayor John Suthers submitted his proposal for a balanced 2016 budget to city council Monday.

The 2016 general fund budget is $268.1 million, an increase of $9.4 million or 3.6 percent over 2015.

2016 General Fund Highlights:

Essentially reconstruct theStormwater Enterprise fund and commit $16 millionfrom the City for storm water maintenance activities and projects (with an additional $3 million from Colorado Springs Utilities making total stormwater expenditures at $19 million per year).
$840,000 in funding through General Fund and grant funds to implement aBody Worn Camera Programat the CSPD, which will improve transparency and accountability in contacts between CSPD and the public. $814,000 increased funding from the City’s General Fund toMountain Metro Transit– increasing funding from $4.3 million to $5.1 million, to bring the City closer to the $5.7 million maintenance of effort commitment made in 2004 when the PPRTA was created. The first phase of a two-year phase-in of aBusiness Personal Property Tax (BPPT) Credit Program. For 2016, the tax credit will be equal to one-half the amount due on 2016 Property tax statements. This program is designed to reward and encourage business expansion and relocation – making the City’s business tax environment more competitive and equitable across industries. $400,000 for architectural and engineering plans for anew Sand Creek Police Substationto replace the current station which will allow the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) to more effectively provide essential public safety services to the southeast part of the City. $250,000 from the General Fund, each year for two years, to fundthe first Comprehensive Plan for the city in 15 years– a plan that will be relevant totoday’s economic markets, and land use planning principles which will reflect the City’s vision to become a more progressive, mixed-use, revitalized and multi-modal community. $75,000 funding for the Regional Business Alliance (RBA) – the community partner primarily responsible for business recruitment and retention.
$55,000 funding ($27,500 General Fund, $27,500 Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax (LART) Fund) for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – an important community partner that assists with small business development and growth. Unavoidable increases for healthcare costs, workers’ compensation costs, and contract costs.

The public is invited to offer input on the proposed budget at a meeting that has been scheduled for 5 p.m. October 20.

To download the budget proposal in its entirety, click here.