A grueling eight-month budgeting process has finally come to a close — with Mayor Mike Johnston’s budget failing to receive a majority of the Denver City Council’s support.

Members were split on the mayor’s $1.66 billion general fund budget on a 6-6 vote. Councilmember Sarah Parady was absent.

But the council’s Monday night vote was largely symbolic. While the council votes on the final budget, the body has no power in this “strong mayor” city to actually stop it. Johnston’s budget would have passed with or without the council’s support.

Still, it was a chance for council members to say they weren’t happy. Even the majority of council members who supported the budget were hardly full-throated in their endorsements. Council President Amanda Sandoval said she was conflicted. While Council

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