Development News for Northglenn, Colorado

City Council Considers Stormwater Fee Increase to Address Aging Infrastructure

The City Council discussed a proposed increase in stormwater utility fees to address the deteriorating condition of the stormwater system and fund necessary repairs and upgrades. The current fees, established in 2004, are insufficient to cover the costs of identified projects. After considerable discussion, the council leaned towards a stormwater fee increase to $7 per month for residential users and $70 per acre per month for commercial users, with a commitment to review and adjust fees periodically to ensure adequate funding for maintenance and capital improvement projects. The decision to implement this increase will be formalized through a resolution in the summer, with the new fees taking effect in January 2027.

City Council Discusses Communications Strategy and Community Survey Feedback

During a City Council meeting, city staff presented an update on the communications and marketing assessment. The presentation included findings from stakeholder focus groups, highlighting community perceptions of Northglenn as a 'small town,' 'hardworking,' and a 'community,' but also identified a 'visibility issue' where the city is often confused with surrounding areas or overlooked. Stakeholders identified communication functions such as informing, educating, providing transparency, marketing events, building trust, and driving engagement. Barriers to strategy development were noted as execution, alignment, and clarity, stemming from capacity limitations, undefined expectations, and resource competition. The council engaged in a detailed discussion about the community survey, focusing on its length, accessibility, format, and the clarity of its purpose, ultimately agreeing to revise the survey based on feedback to ensure it is focused, accessible, and effectively gathers community input.