Thornton City Council Meeting - November 10, 2026

Thornton City Council meeting, November 10, 2026: Council unanimously approved the FY2027 appropriations ordinance covering operating funds and capital improvement projects, the 2027 property-tax levy, and an amendment to the 2026 budget. It also unanimously approved second-reading ordinances setting utility rates: a 3.6% water-rate increase and a 6% stormwater-rate increase were specified in the presentation; water and sewer connection fees will rise 3%, and the Metro Water Recovery connection fee will rise 3.6%. Staff said the adjustments support utility operations, maintenance, infrastructure investment, drainage improvements, and flood mitigation. The transcript did not specify the sewer-rate adjustment percentage.

Council also unanimously approved an economic-development incentive for Thornton-based Air Squared to support a planned $28 million expansion, expected to create 45 jobs over five years in addition to its 123 current local employees. The city incentive rebates 30% of eligible sales and use tax over five years, capped at approximately $213,000; the city would retain about 70% of the eligible tax, estimated at roughly $550,000, and receive an estimated $33,000 annually in business personal-property tax from new equipment. Separately, council unanimously approved annexation, zoning, and a conceptual site plan for a 39.153-acre residential development planned for 127 homes plus an existing home, with a traffic signal, street and bike-lane work, and trail connections. No competitive procurements, contract awards, or vendor selections were identified.