Greeley City Council July 14 work session: development-code rewrite takes shape as budget cuts near target

At its July 14 work session, the Greeley City Council focused on two big tracks: shaping a new round of development-code updates and continuing to close the gap in the 2027 budget. Staff said identified reductions now total most of the city’s cut target, while council also gave broad direction on land-use changes that will come back later as draft code language and public review.

On land use, council gave staff broad direction to start drafting development-code changes covering chickens, neighborhood businesses and other emerging uses. Staff said that work will return through public review, Planning Commission workshops and eventual adoption.

Budget discussions covered both the citywide picture and specific departments. Staff told council that 2027 cuts identified so far total $16.8 million, leaving a $1.3 million gap before a recommended budget goes to council in September. In a more detailed portfolio update, internal-services leaders said their 2027 reduction plan exceeds its cut target, with slower support functions expected. Public works and utility staff also said they are targeting lower water and sewer rate increases while weighing stormwater tradeoffs and unresolved cuts.

The only formal action on the work-session agenda was council’s unanimous vote to enter executive session on the Civic Campus project for legal advice and negotiating strategy.