Colorado Springs mayor moves to eliminate final furlough day
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Colorado Springs City Hall. Photo: John Frank/Axios
Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade wants to eliminate the city's Nov. 25 furlough day after tax revenues exceeded expectations this year.
Why it matters: City employees would get paid that day, plus the uptick in tax revenue is a positive signal for the local economy and city budget outlook.
Driving the news: In a presentation Monday to City Council, the mayor's office reported that sales and use tax collections topped projections by $9.2 million so far this year.
- The mayor's chief of staff, Wayne Williams, proposed using $330,800 of the total to cut the final furlough day for city employees, which is scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving.
- Any employee who made plans for the furlough day could take vacation or keep the unpaid day, he said.
What they're saying: Williams told council members the move would improve employee morale and retention.
Flashback: Last year, the city mandated five scheduled furlough days in 2026 for most employees — seven days for higher-paid positions — to help close a $31 million budget shortfall.
- On those days, most of the city's administrative offices are closed.
The intrigue: City Council members expressed mixed views on the proposal.
- Councilmember David Leinweber said employees should be given the day off with pay for the sacrifices they made this year. "We just need to reward them for sucking it up this year, and say thank you," he said.
- Councilmember Dave Donelson said he supported the mayor's plan and expressed concern about a paid day off. "We need to strike that balance between generosity and being stewards of the taxpayers' dollars," he cautioned.
What's next: City Council is expected to consider the mayor's plan at a future meeting.
- The mayor's 2027 budget proposal is scheduled for release Oct. 5.