The most notable topic of discussion revolved around Englewood’s proposed 2025 budget, presented by Chief Financial Officer Michael Kaufman. The budget, totaling $81,574,118.68, includes a tax increase of 1.98%, equivalent to approximately $10.38 per month for homeowners with an average property assessment of $474,250. He highlighted specific projects, including the replacement of a leaking roof at the Department of Public Works and the installation of energy-efficient garage doors.

The council’s financial strategy involves careful management of surplus funds, which account for 19.45% of total revenue, as well as efforts to maximize grant funding. However, the unexpected loss of two federal health department grants has posed challenges, prompting the city to utilize surplus funds to retain affected employees temporarily. Council members discussed the importance of preparing for such potential funding reductions by maintaining reserves for emergencies and tax appeals.

Another discussion point was the denial of a $2.9 million matching grant for enhancements at Denning Park, due to a perceived lack of public support. The grant would have funded soil testing for soccer fields and energy-efficient lighting installation. The city manager noted that the denial underscores the necessity of engaging the community effectively in planning stages to secure funding for future projects.

Traffic safety and infrastructure improvements also dominated the meeting, particularly concerning changes to Broad Avenue. Recent traffic striping aimed at reducing speeding and improving safety was met with mixed reactions from residents. Some acknowledged reduced speeding, but others reported significant traffic backups and challenges accessing driveways. Suggestions were made to implement resident parking regulations and increase enforcement of parking limits to alleviate congestion.

During the public comment session, residents expressed concerns about inadequate crosswalks and the placement of bus stop shelters, urging the council to reassess the changes made in the area. A council member highlighted the need for effective communication and consideration of resident feedback, suggesting engagement with stakeholders, including emergency service providers, to gather perspectives on traffic changes.

The council also addressed ordinance 2522, which pertains to regulations for low-speed electric scooters, bicycles, and other motorized electric vehicles. Residents raised safety concerns, advocating for stricter measures, including mandatory registration. The police chief reported incidents involving juveniles riding scooters dangerously and emphasized the need for regulations to provide better enforcement tools.

Finally, the council discussed the adoption of the 2025 budget and the introduction of ordinance 2520, aimed at creating a cap bank to save funds for future budgetary needs. A resident questioned the cap bank’s function, and the city’s Chief Financial Officer clarified that it allows the city to save unspent funds for future use if budgetary limits are exceeded.