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Aurora City Council Acts on Budget, Data Centers and Ethics Rules
The council addressed spending, land-use limits and oversight through specific local measures at recent meetings.
How we reported this
The Aurora City Council passed a structurally balanced 2026 budget that reduced spending by more than $72 million year-over-year while replenishing underfunded long-term funds. The same meeting produced an ordinance limiting city property use for immigration enforcement and new data-center rules that require zoning changes plus third-party noise and water-consumption studies. A proposed ethics ordinance with a $1,500 corporate contribution cap was sent back to the Rules and Appropriations committee.
Budget Adjustments for Long-Term Stability
The 2026 budget decision directly affects how city services are funded. By cutting more than $72 million from the prior year while restoring reserves, the council created a plan that meets current obligations without drawing down future accounts. This approach keeps core operations running while addressing prior shortfalls in designated funds.
Data-Center and Immigration Ordinances
New data-center regulations add zoning requirements and mandate independent reviews of noise and water use before projects advance. Separately, the council approved an ordinance that restricts city property from being used in immigration enforcement activities. Both measures give city staff clearer direction on how local assets and land-use rules will be applied.
Ethics Ordinance and Fiber-Network Support
The council returned the ethics ordinance containing the $1,500 corporate contribution limit to the Rules and Appropriations committee for additional work. At the same time the city continues its financial support for the non-profit OnLight Aurora fiber network, which reported negative net income and lost approximately $270,000 in 2023. These actions keep ongoing oversight and service commitments under active review.
Next Steps for Implementation
City staff will now carry out the approved budget reductions, apply the new data-center and immigration rules, and prepare further drafts for the ethics ordinance. Residents can follow updates through the City Council’s posted agendas and meeting records.