BLACK HAWK – At the December 11, 2024, City Council meeting, the City of Black Hawk unanimously approved the 2025 budget, setting the stage for continued development and enhanced city services. 

Mayor David Spellman, Aldermen Paul Bennet, Jim Johnson, Greg Moates, Benito Torres, Linda Armbright, and Hal Midcap, plus City staff, attended the meeting at 211 Church Street's Council Chambers.

The approved 2025 budget projects total revenues of $39.5 million, reflecting a modest 0.1% increase from 2024 estimates and a 3.3% increase over 2023 actuals. Expenditures are projected at $64.8 million, supporting critical investments in City infrastructure, staffing, and community programs.

Sales Tax, Use Tax, and Device Fees will remain unchanged, while the Lodging Tax will increase to 10% on January 1, 2025, following voter approval. Additionally, water rates will rise by 2.5% at the start of the year.

City officials highlighted significant capital projects for 2025, including Gregory Hill improvements, a Main Street overlay, and continued restoration of the Bobtail Mine.

The budget also includes funding for a 4.48% market adjustment for general employees’ pay, with higher adjustments for public safety personnel. Medical insurance premiums are expected to rise by 15% in the latter half of the year, with the City continuing its contribution to employee Health Savings Accounts.

New staff positions include a streets maintenance worker and a water operator, reinforcing the City’s commitment to maintaining its infrastructure and services.

During the meeting, the Council honored Roxie Morris, Police Records Supervisor, for her 31 years of dedicated service to Black Hawk. Morris received heartfelt recognition for her contributions to public safety and her role in strengthening the police department’s operations.

The Council also approved several major projects and initiatives, including a $3.57 million expansion of the Hidden Valley Water Treatment Plant and a $6.37 million contract for Phase 2 of the Bobtail Mine Improvements. This next phase will expand the historic site into a larger public attraction, adding new rail lines and creating looped tours that will accommodate multiple groups simultaneously.

Enhancements to traffic infrastructure were also approved, with $515,152 allocated for replacing signals on Gregory and Main Streets.

Several ordinances aligned City operations with voter-approved measures and staff recommendations. Property taxes were levied for 2024, the 2025 pay plan was adopted to support competitive salaries, and the lodging tax increase from 2% to 10% was implemented.

Other measures included agreements with Lighthouse Transportation for traffic maintenance and MV Transportation for continued tramway operations between Black Hawk and Central City.

The City continues to enhance its commercial district on Gregory Street, approving leases with tenants such as Basin & Bend, Gift Eclectic, Hearts and Legends, Heat & Sweet Classics, and LitWood Creations. These agreements include rent credits to address potential disruptions caused by ongoing construction in the area.

To improve residential safety, the Council approved a Radon Mitigation Grant Program, offering financial assistance to homeowners for installing mitigation systems in homes that lack them. This initiative builds on the City’s longstanding efforts to preserve and improve its historic housing stock.

The Council finalized its 2025 regular meeting schedule, with sessions to continue on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, except for November and December. Holidays and the Historic Preservation Commission’s meeting calendar were also approved.

The next meeting of the Black Hawk City Council will be on January 8, 2025.