In the first of two four-hour meetings, the Town Board met on Thursday, September 18, to review staff recommendations regarding portions of the Town’s 2026 budget. The second presentation to the Town Board, which will cover other parts of the budget, is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 3.
The 2026 proposed budget totals $88.4 million, with the largest components being the general fund ($28.5 million), power and communications ($27 million), police ($8.5 million), and water ($8 million).
Approximately $3 million of carryover fund balances were proposed for the $3.1 million Community Reinvestment Fund, which is used for capital improvements for the Town.
While the power and communications fund and the water fund are principally funded through user fees, much of the rest of the budget is principally funded by sales taxes, which Town staff has projected to be flat for 2026 compared to 2025.
The most notable new item for the proposed 2026 budget is the allocation of $1.5 million to fund a reserve associated with acquiring and constructing a new police station outside the downtown core.
As they did in 2025, Town staff recommend a fund transfer of $1.35 million from power and communications to the general fund.
Based on studies of other similar communities, the Town staff also recommended market-based raises for staff of 2% to 4%, depending on particular job classifications. These increases will apply to current employees and affect the pay ranges for particular Town jobs. Town leadership proposed allocating a 2% merit bonus pool to particular Town employees.
The budget also includes a projected 5% increase in medical insurance costs.
Last year, during the proposed 2025 budget proposal meeting, Travis Machalek, administrator for the Town of Estes Park, said, “For the most detailed picture of what a town prioritizes, look at the budget, not the strategic plan.”