## What's on the agenda

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, Centennial City Council is scheduled to take up two of the biggest money questions a city handles. The first is how much to spend next year. The second is what the city charges in sales and use tax. Both are set for public hearings at 7 p.m., according to the city's legal notices page.

That evening is the last day of this issue's week. For residents who want a say, the deadline that matters most comes a day earlier.

## The budget: two years proposed, 2027 up for adoption

The city's budget page says the City Manager presented the proposed 2027/2028 budget to Council on Sept. 15. The page describes a plan that covers infrastructure, public safety and community services, and it posts the full proposed document.

The legal notice was published Oct. 29. It describes the Nov. 17 hearing as one on adoption of the 2027 budget and lists the location as the Civic Center, 13133 E. Arapahoe Rd. Copies of the budget are available on the city website or at the Civic Center.

Written objections may be filed with the City Clerk any time before final adoption on Nov. 17. The clerk's office email is cityclerksoffice@centennialco.gov.

The same notice lists separate hearings on the 2027 budgets of the Antelope, Cherry Park and Foxridge General Improvement Districts. If you live in one of those districts, its budget is a separate decision from the citywide one.

## The ordinance: "Sales and Use Tax Increase"

Ordinance 2026-O-21 is titled "Sales and Use Tax Increase." It came before Council on first reading Monday, Nov. 2, and the clerk's notice says Council passed it on first reading that night. The public hearing and second reading are set for Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.

The comment rules are different from the budget's:

Written comments on the ordinance must reach the City Clerk by 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16.

Spoken comments can be given at the hearing itself.

A title only tells you so much, so the full ordinance posted with the notice is the best way to see exactly what Council is considering.

## How the two pieces fit together

The budget sets out what the city plans to spend. The ordinance concerns what the city collects in sales and use tax. Council has scheduled hearings on both for the same night.

For residents, the practical point is that these are separate formal decisions with separate paperwork. Each has its own way to comment, and the deadlines are not the same. Someone with views on both should plan to submit two comments, one for each item.

A public hearing is the scheduled point where anyone can speak before Council acts; including people who favor a measure, people who oppose it and people who want changes.

## Key dates at a glance

By 1 p.m. Mon., Nov. 16: Written comments on Ordinance 2026-O-21 are due to the City Clerk.

Before final adoption Tues., Nov. 17: Written objections to the 2027 budget may be filed with the City Clerk.

Tues., Nov. 17, 7 p.m.: Council holds the hearing on the 2027 city budget, hearings on the Antelope, Cherry Park and Foxridge district budgets, and the public hearing and second reading of Ordinance 2026-O-21.

## The takeaway

If you plan to speak up, the calendar note to make is Monday afternoon, not Tuesday night. Read the proposed budget on the city's budget page. Open the ordinance from the legal notices page. Then send your thoughts to the clerk while there's still time for them to arrive before the hearing.