Throughout this year and continuing with the 2026 budget, the City of Grand Junction has been reviewing its internal structure and staffing levels, investing in new positions in police, fire and at the Community Recreation Center that is set to open late next year, while reducing positions in other areas.

City Manager Mike Bennett, who started in his role in December of 2024 making this his first budget with the city, said the city was facing a situation where expenses were beginning to exceed projected revenues. In order to account for that, the 2026 budget includes a 14% reduction in operating expenses, as well as reductions due to large capital projects included in the 2025 budget.

“As we were putting this budget together, we were looking at the fact that expenses are starting to outp

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