Carmel street commissioner outlines 2027 budget emphasizing fleet centralization and $8.5M paving program

Matt Higginbotham, Street Commissioner for the City of Carmel, presented the Street Department's proposed 2027 budget, saying, "It's a this is a presentation of our budget for 2027." He framed the request as supporting core services including paving, snow removal, sidewalks, landscaping, stormwater and the public right-of-way.

Higginbotham highlighted several major items that will shape the budget year: centralizing fleet maintenance (including integrating the police department garage), a funded $8.5 million paving program with $4.9 million earmarked for connector roadway/path maintenance, and an expansion of stormwater operations. He provided program-level budgets across facilities, fleet, landscaping, winter operations, events and IT, and said the department will move from 67 to 77 full-time employees in 2027 as it assumes additional responsibilities.