2024 Budget Highlights

In 2023, the City created the Community Assistance Response Engagement (CARE) pilot program, which was created to serve as a non-law enforcement alternative behavioral health response program for response to low-acuity behavioral health, human services, and medical calls that do not present safety concerns.

The 2024 Approved Budget further invests in behavioral health response by adding $774,000 in funding to support mental health services and paramedic equipment for the CARE program. The specific increase in investments include:

- $471,000 for a State of Colorado HHS Behavioral Health Administration Grant for intensive staff training to better serve community members

- $200,000 in ongoing support for behavioral health services, such as substance use disorder treatment, through community-based mental health providers.

- $63,500 in ongoing funding for program staff equipment and supplies .

- $39,000 in ongoing enhancements for CARE paramedic personal protective equipment and emergency vehicle supplies.

Many community members require access to basic services including health, human services, and housing assistance. In addition, the City is prioritizing other equitable investments in unrepresented populations. Investment highlights:

Home Repairs and Improvements for Manufactured Home Communities

- $525,000 to support manufactured home communities through community engagement efforts and energy efficiency upgrades, such as energy-related home repairs and weatherization improvements.

Human Equity Fund Increase

- $415,000 increase for Health Equity Fund community grant funding to support Boulder community members experiencing health disparities.

Family Homelessness Prevention - EFAA's Keep Families Housed Program

- $137,000 for the Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) Keep Families Housed Program to help prevent family homelessness in Boulder.

Community Connectors in Residence Stipends and Partnership Funding

- $50,000 ongoing budget approved for stipends and partnership funding for Community Connectors in Residence, and a one-time $10,000 increase for the CC-in-R program, focusing on health and well-being of Community Connectors.

In the 2024 Approved Budget, $31.8 million is included in the Affordable Housing Fund and General Fund to support housing affordability. Projects include:

Alpine-Balsam Development

- A total of $18.3 million to support infrastructure development at Alpine-Balsam which support the largest affordable housing development in the city.

Additional Funding for Permanently Supportive Housing Vouchers

- A total ongoing increase of $100,000 to meet demand related to housing vouchers.

Ponderosa Stabilization Project

- A total of $2.3M to reduce climate risk, update infrastructure, and ensure long-term affordability.

Hilltop Senior Living Center

- $2.0M from the Affordable Housing Fund to support construction of 60 permanently affordable apartment homes.

Code Amendment Staffing Increase

- An additional Code Amendment Planner (1.0 FTE, $122,000) to increase capacity to address code changes that focus on increased housing options.

Given the urgency of wildfire resilience and preparedness, the city continues to invest across many areas to address community risk, planning, and emergency response. Supporting these efforts, voters approved an expanded Climate Tax in November 2022, which included $1.5 million in additional funding to support wildfire resilience efforts. The 2024 Budget includes investments in:

- $456,000 to support implementation of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), including the reduction of fuels and community outreach and preparedness.

- $682,000 to support a new community grant program which will use an equity-based approach to fund community to reduce fire risk.

In April 2021, Council approved an 18-month pilot program to expand the City’s approach to managing public spaces across the community with a focus on the legal and compassionate management of encampments.

For 2024, staff is recommending the one-time expanded budget for an additional year of $0.9 million.

The SAMPS work is guided by an action plan that outlines several goals of the program:

1. No unsanctioned camping.

2. Individuals experiencing homelessness are connected to services.

3. Access to public space and public infrastructure is not impeded.

4. Reduce crime and disorder in designated areas of emphasis.

5. Visitors have access to knowledgeable resources or city services.

6. Maintenance crews can safely access critical infrastructure in public spaces.

7. Waterways are free of contamination.

8. Users of public spaces report feeling safe and welcome.

Boulder voters approved the renewal of the 0.3% Community, Culture, Resilience, and Safety (CCRS) sales & use tax in November 2021 to support citywide capital infrastructure investments.

The Budget includes $123.7 million over the six-year CIP for CCRS, which includes an anticipated debt issuance in 2026 of $62 million. These key community projects include:

- Civic Area Phase II: $18.0 million in planned spending is included in the 2024-2029 CIP to support schematic design and scoping

- East Boulder Community Center (EBCC) Retrofit & Renovations: A total of $51.5 million in planned spending is included in the six-year CIP for a full energy efficiency and infrastructure retrofit of the EBCC.

- Pearl Street Mall Refresh: A total of $1.2 million in CCRS funding to support capital maintenance and transformative enhancements on the Pearl Street Mall ahead of the 50th Anniversary celebration in 2027. This project will be further supported with a funding from the Downtown Commercial District (CAGID) Fund.

- Fire Station #2 and #4: A total of $37.0 million is included in the 2024-2029 CIP to support the acquisition, design, and construction of replacements of fire stations #2 and #4, which will help support the Fire-Rescue department’s current and future operational needs.