Get To Know Your City Budget

Prioritizing services and allocating resources to sustain the quality of life for our residents.

Urban park with autumn trees and buildings under a yellow-orange sunset sky with mountains in the background.

As one of the largest cities in the metro area, Centennial is responsible for maintaining significant infrastructure assets to serve our residents and businesses. At the same time, the City operates with one of the lowest sales tax rates in the region, with roughly 60% of the general fund supported by sales tax revenue.

We take pride in being careful stewards of taxpayer dollars, but this balance—maintaining extensive infrastructure with comparatively limited revenue—continues to put increasing pressure on the City’s budget as costs rise and demand grows.

Suburban two-story house with a white garage door, brick accents, and an American flag on the porch surrounded by green trees.

Budget Reality

About 77% of Centennial’s General Fund revenue, which supports essential City services and maintenance, comes from sales tax and property tax. Of the total property taxes paid by Centennial property owners, the City receives only about 5%, with the remaining revenue distributed to school districts and other taxing entities.

The City’s sales tax rate has remained unchanged at 2.5% since 2003.

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Financial Pressures

Ongoing economic pressures and changes in consumer spending have contributed to slower growth in sales tax collections. That, coupled with sharp increases in maintenance and operational costs, is putting significant pressure on the City's budget.

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Workers and machinery repaving a road at night with bright lights illuminating the construction area.
A wide asphalt road with several cars driving under a partly cloudy blue sky, bordered by green trees on the left and wooden fencing on the right.

Future Priorities

The City inherited an aging transportation network when it was incorporated 25 years ago, which means infrastructure like roads, bridges, signal lights, and other infrastructure has reached or is now approaching the end of its useful life and requires costly repair, upgrades and in some cases full replacement.

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Sustainable Solution

Centennial needs a sustainable, long-term solution for its Street Fund. No decisions have been made. Your input matters.

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Workers and machinery repaving a road at night with bright lights illuminating the construction area.

Community Engagement Timeline

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February – April 2026: City Council strategy on budget sustainability
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April – August 2026: Community Outreach + Education
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June 2026: Community Survey
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August 2026: City Council determines next steps

Centennial Snippets

The City of Centennial is responsible for maintaining: 

Wide empty two-way road with double yellow lines and trees lining both sides extending into the distance.
Approximately 435 miles of paved public streets
Traffic lights at an intersection with a street sign for S Clarkson St against a clear blue sky.
92 traffic signals (most of which are between 25 and 40 years old)
Man biking on a dirt trail with two women walking ahead, surrounded by green trees and mountains in the background.
29.5 miles of bike lanes and 64 miles of trails

Quick Poll

Of some of Centennial's largest budget expenditures, what is most important to you?

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