Denver City Council is looking to cut $330,000 from its budget over the next 18 months and will move four member office locations into city-owned facilities to save on leases.
Ten of 13 council members have office locations in leased spaces throughout the city — including storefronts and in office buildings that cost taxpayers about $150,000 a year.
Three council positions — the citywide at-large seats and Council President Chris Nevitt from District 7 — have their offices in the City and County Building in central Denver.
The council on Monday approved a new policy in which newly elected council members must relocate into the City and County Building or a city-owned facility that won’t charge rent. Sitting council members won’t have to move during their terms in office unless they choose to relocate and space is available.
“I think it’s appropriate,” said council member Jeanne Faatz, whose Southwest Denver District 2 is the farthest from the city’s center. “Obviously, the savings of money has to be the first thing. The policy is reasonable.”
Faatz leases a storefront office for $13,483 a year and won’t be moving downtown. She says her office receives a constant stream of visitors.
Some council members are resistant to moving into a central location because of how it would affect their connection with their constituents and worry about people having to pay to park to visit their city representative.
Nevertheless, the city has newly found space in the City and County Building after Denver District Court offices and courtrooms moved into the new justice center.
About 2,400 square feet is being remodeled for three council members’ offices.
Jeanne Robb, who represents District 10 in central Denver, has agreed to move from her Colfax Avenue office into the City and County Building that is inside her district.
“I’m not loving it but I am doing it,” Robb said. “I’m doing it because I am putting my money where my mouth is.”
Joining Robb will be the newly elected officer from District 1 in northwest Denver who will replace outgoing Councilwoman Paula Sandoval, and the officer from District 5 in east Denver who will replace outgoing Councilwoman Marcia Johnson.
Additionally, the officer replacing Councilman Michael Hancock in northeast Denver’s District 11 will move into space in the city-owned Arie P. Taylor Administration Building in the Montbello neighborhood.
The relocations of four offices into city-owned buildings will save the city about $89,000 a year.
The total City Council budget is about $4.2 million, and each council member is given an office budget of about $135,000 that covers staff salaries, taxes and supplies.
Jeremy P. Meyer: 303-954-1367 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com
