The Denver City Council on Monday night signed off on a $1.7 billion operating budget for 2015 that includes money for three police recruit classes, neighborhood-focused public works projects and sheriff’s department reforms.

The council also approved, in a block vote, new amateur hash oil production rules that ban the use of butane or other gases in home extractions of oil from marijuana. A committee earlier tweaked the measure, which is aimed at preventing home explosions, to allow some alcohol-based extractions.

The 2015 budget, approved 12-0, has attracted little controversy. It’s relatively flush compared with the recent belt-tightening recession years, in part because of higher sales tax collections. Also, Denver voters approved a 2012 ballot measure that let the city keep more tax revenue (and restore some services) by opting out of spending caps under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.

Mayor Michael Hancock said the spending plan would help the city meet the needs of a booming population.

“But that kind of record growth also means we must make extremely thoughtful, strategic and intentional investments to protect our neighborhoods, to serve our children and to keep our residents safe,” Hancock said in a statement. “That’s exactly what this budget does.”

The largest part is the $1.2 billion general fund, which covers basic city operations. It’s set to grow about 6.7 percent.

Council members, who reviewed each part of the budget in detail in earlier hearings, made no comments on it Monday.

Last month, midway through the council’s budget process, Hancock agreed to several council requests for modifications, totaling $4.3 million. Among them were a third class of police recruits that, along with the other two, will add 125 to 150 officers next year, more than offsetting retirements. The mayor also agreed to pursue a new southeast Denver motor vehicle branch and to add other items.

City officials will request state sign-off on the city-operated DMV branch next year and are aiming for a 2016 opening.

Other budget changes:

• Public projects: Notably, Hancock, who’s up for re-election in May, is taking advantage of burgeoning reserves in the new budget. His plans call for carving off $63 million for one-time projects and programs, while keeping city backup funds above the target of 15 percent of general fund spending.

The projects include $47 million in redevelopment for north Denver neighborhoods, including preparation for a controversial state project to reconstruct Interstate 70. Another planned project will bring new sidewalks, underground utility work and a makeover to Brighton Boulevard between 29th and 44th avenues.

The city also will kick another $3 million into an affordable-housing revolving-loan fund and will invest $10 million in citywide park and trail improvements.

• Public safety: The sheriff’s department, the focus of huge payouts

this year based on inmate abuse claims, will get $5.4 million for reforms within its $117 million budget. Much of that is for 47 new deputies to relieve thinly stretched staffing — and to reduce spiraling overtime costs.

The Office of the Independent Monitor, which provides oversight of the sheriff’s department and the Denver Police Department, will expand its eight-person staff by three. And about 800 police officers who interact with the public will get body cameras.

• Building permits: Community Planning and Development is hiring about 30 new employees to reduce building permit approval lags that long have been a source of frustration by developers.

Jon Murray: 303-954-1405 or jmurray@denverpost.com