LOVELAND, Colo. — The City of Loveland is proposing a 5% increase in its General Fund budget for 2027, but city officials say the additional money still won't be enough to keep up with the city's capital maintenance needs.
That includes aging city buildings like the Loveland Public Library. The library's roof has been leaking for years.
Library staff says leaks have appeared in different parts of the building, especially during wet or rainy weather.
For parent Mark Schulte, the library is a place to spend time with his child. But he said he was unaware of the roof problems.
“I did not,” Schulte said when asked if he knew about the leaks.
“It was surprising because everything seems normal, and I haven't seen any water damage anywhere,” he said.
Loveland presented its proposed 2027 budget to City Council on Monday. The proposed budget calls for a five-percent increase in the General Fund.
Acting Deputy City Manager and CFO Molly Elder said the increase is driven in part by inflation, contractual increases and additional staffing needed to meet critical business needs.
But even with the larger budget, Elder said the city is still significantly underfunding capital maintenance.
“We're facing a situation where our library roof is leaking, and so it becomes an emergency repair. Those tend to be more expensive,” Elder said.
The library roof is one example of that challenge.
City officials say they want to address the roof this year rather than let the problem keep growing.
“We still have second reading to go. Assuming they approve that, we'll be able to take care of that this year,” Elder said.
Loveland resident George Gar Klavs said he hopes city leaders can balance maintaining the city's assets with keeping costs manageable for residents.
“I'm hoping that there's some stability that the city government realizes the assets and what the city can afford, what the people here in Loveland can afford, and how they can support the city,” he said.
City Council is expected to finalize the 2027 budget in October. If approved, the new budget will take effect in January.
For Schulte, addressing the library roof sooner rather than later makes sense.
“I'm grateful. I mean, I'd rather it fix now than, you know, 10 years from now when it's too late,” he said.
