The Budget Conversation Just Got More Specific
Centennial City Council spent October 12 and 13 digging into the proposed 2027–2028 City budget, following its September presentation. The proposal addresses infrastructure, public safety and community services, while the City continues to warn that long-term expenses are projected to outpace revenues.
Transportation sits near the center of that conversation. Centennial says it could lack sufficient funding by 2028 to maintain roads, bridges, traffic signals and other infrastructure at current levels. The budget process remains public, and a public hearing will occur before final adoption. Centennial, CO
That makes this a useful moment for residents to look beyond the total dollar amount and ask a more practical question: What services do we expect the City to provide, and what does it actually cost to sustain them?
Explore Centennial’s proposed 2027–2028 budget
The Transportation Question Is Headed to Voters
That same financial conversation connects directly to the November 3 sales and use tax measure.
Centennial voters will consider a 1% increase in the City sales and use tax, taking the City rate from 2.5% to 3.5%. The City estimates the increase would generate approximately $27 million annually, dedicated to transportation-related Public Works needs such as roadway maintenance, bridges, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, traffic signals, snow removal and street sweeping. Centennial, CO
The issue deserves more than a quick yes-or-no reaction. Residents can look at what is being proposed, what is exempt, how revenue would be restricted and what the City says could happen to infrastructure without additional funding.
Review Centennial’s information about the November transportation measure
Whose Voice Is Missing From the Room?
Centennial is also accepting applications for its Youth Commission through November 1 for students ages 13–18. Centennial, CO
That may sound like a youth program, but it raises a bigger civic question: Who gets invited into community decision-making before adulthood?
Transportation, parks, safety, recreation, technology and development affect young residents too. Creating meaningful pathways for younger voices helps broaden the perspective behind decisions that will outlast any single City Council term.
Visit Centennial’s News & Media Center for Youth Commission information
And Yes, Those Leaves Matter
Fall stewardship can get very local.
Centennial asks residents not to rake or blow leaves into the street. Street sweeping helps keep debris out of the stormwater system, but sweepers must work around piles of leaves, parked vehicles and overhanging vegetation. Residents can check when their neighborhood is scheduled and, when possible, move vehicles off the street so crews can reach the curb. Centennial, CO
Check Centennial’s street sweeping information and schedule
This Week’s Pulse
A community is shaped by more than major projects.
It is shaped by what we are willing to fund, whose experiences are represented, how carefully we examine the choices placed before us, and whether we take responsibility for the few feet of Centennial directly outside our own doors.
That is civic life at street level, and sometimes that is exactly where the biggest questions begin.
27 Comments
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Glad someone mentioned the connection between what we fund and what our community is like. It all adds up in the end.
Thank you, it's true that every funding decision shapes our city's character, which is why these conversations matter so much.
Always wondered who decides which streets get swept first. Ours seems late every year!
Is there a full list somewhere of upcoming projects the extra money would fund? I’d like to know before voting.
If we want to attract more families here, keeping the community looking clean matters. That means dealing with leaves too!
You're absolutely right, small actions like keeping streets clean, including proper leaf disposal, really do contribute to a more welcoming community.
If roads fall apart, it’ll hurt local businesses more than this tax would. Something has to give.
Hope the Youth Commission isn't just for show. Young people actually have some good ideas for parks and safety.
Does anyone know exactly what’s exempt from the sales tax increase? Like, is it just groceries?
I remember when we didn't even have sidewalks here. Happy they're keeping up with maintenance, but let's also fix old potholes while we're at it.
Appreciate they are focusing on things like traffic signals. A few intersections near Arapahoe and Holly are so outdated.
Gina L.Totally agree. That intersection gets so backed up at rush hour, and the timing feels way off. Hope they address those spots first.
Public hearing notice is good. Hope people will actually show up instead of just complaining later!
$27 million sounds like a lot, but the way stuff costs these days, I guess roads eat up funds fast.
Shoutout to whoever added the reminder about leaves. People keep blowing theirs into the street and it just clogs up everything.
If the city is worried about money, maybe look at cutting unnecessary spending first. Raising taxes shouldn't be the first answer every time.
Kids should speak up more! My daughter bikes to school and always points out where the crossings could be safer. I hope they listen to youth ideas.
Wish there was a way to vote on priorities instead of just yes/no on the tax. I'd rather fix bridges than add more fancy landscaping.
Great point! The article highlights that residents can review in detail what the proposed funds will support, and public feedback helps ensure those priorities reflect the community's needs.
The budget talks always seem so complicated. Appreciate any info that breaks it down into normal terms.
I don't mind paying a little more if it keeps our sidewalks safe. Even tripped last year on one with cracks.
Just hope any new money actually goes to roads and not something else. One reason I don't always trust these measures.
That's a valid concern. According to the proposal, new revenue from the tax measure would be legally restricted for transportation-related needs like road and bridge maintenance.
Street sweepers do an amazing job honestly. I always move my car but wish more neighbors did. It's a pain when there's leaves in the gutters all winter.
1% more sales tax isn't nothing, but if it actually helps keep our streets drivable, I'll consider voting yes.
I had no clue the Youth Commission took students as young as 13. That's awesome. Kids see things adults miss.
Glad they're talking about the future, but not sure a tax hike is the only way to fix roads. What else have we tried yet?