DENVER The Denver City Council submitted 22 adjustments to Mayor Mike Johnston's 2025 budget proposal on Friday, totaling more than $29 million in changes.
The mayor outlined his $1.76 billion budget proposal in September. The plan is only slightly bigger than last years budget of $1.74 billion and the smallest increase in over a decade, according to the mayor.
Watch our initial coverage in the video player below:
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston unveils tight 2025 budget proposal
While the homelessness and immigration crises are still ongoing priorities, under Johnston's plan, the city will spend a lot less on them next year compared to this year. Spending on the mayors All In Mile High Initiative will decrease by $84 million, while spending to help asylum seekers will decrease by $90 million.
The mayors budget calls for increased spending in other areas, such as workforce development, expanding affordable housing and revitalizing downtown.
On Friday, the city council outlined 20 changes that received support from a supermajority of council members. In terms of funding, the largest changes include:
$5.5 million to the Office of Children's Affairs to support
out-of-school-time programs for elementary and middle school students $5 million to fund temporary rental and utility assistance $3 million to
help the transition of Denver's Asylum Seekers Program $2.5 million to fund another cohort for the
Denver Basic Income Project $2.5 million to increase funding for the Safe Routes to School program
Two changes received support from a simple majority of council members:
Transferring the AID Center from the Office of Neighborhood Safety to the Department of Public Health and Environment $2.75 million to purchase land for safe RV parking
You can read all 22 of the council's adjustments below:
While the mayor creates the budget, it is up to the city council to approve it. The council can suggest changes, but the mayor has the power to veto them. If a change is vetoed, two-thirds of the city council must vote to override it to keep the change.
The mayor has until Oct. 21 to submit his final budget proposal. The city council then has until Nov. 4 to propose or vote on amendments. You can view the entire budget timeline through this link.
Link to original article