(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Mayor Yemi Mobolade has presented the budget for the City to the Colorado Springs City Council. The proposed budget, according to the mayor, the budget looks to cut costs while also prioritizing city services as a “fiscally conservative city.”
“We are guided by the discipline. And for us to also focus on what matters most. That means prioritizing core city services, including public safety, infrastructure, parks, and other essential community needs, such as housing and homelessness. These priorities also align with the council’s focus and what we are consistently hearing from our residents. In terms of the sort of specifics, the 2026 General Fund Revenue is projected at $427.3 million,” Mayor Mobolade said during his presentation.
According to Mobolade, $427.3 million is an $11 million decrease from 2025’s budget. Furthermore, the city leadership team identified $31 million in savings, including a reduction in workforce, eliminating close to 35 positions. These closed positions will not include sworn and safety roles, but cuts will include additional unpaid furlough days for general fund employees, with two additional furlough days for employees who earn more than $72,000 annually.
Along with these furloughs, the 2026 budget boasts $11.2 million in departmental savings and $3.5 million in capital improvement programs. The closure of the Meadows Park Community Center will also free up another $775,000 in savings.
Lastly, Mayor Mobolade confirmed there will be no cost-of-living or performance-based wage increases in 2026. Civilian employees below the midpoint, though, will be eligible for up to a 2% progression increase.
“This 2026 budget is more than just numbers on a page. There are a lot of numbers, but what it really is is a reflection of who we are as a city, our values, our priorities, and our resilience. So as I conclude, I really want to thank our department leaders here today, especially our CFO, Sheri McDaniel, and everyone from the Budget Office.”
– Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade
