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New city manager lays out capital projects, new departments and $88 million CDBG disaster aid
Summary
City Manager Raquel Williams told the Infrastructure Task Force the city has launched a capital projects department, will create a utility services director role, and is preparing to allocate roughly $88 million in CDBG disaster relief funding from the April 2023 floods; staff also proposed a $33 million budget amendment for capital projects.
City Manager Raquel Williams addressed the Infrastructure Task Force and outlined organizational changes, funding moves and program priorities aimed at speeding city capital projects and improving coordination.
Williams said the city has launched a capital projects department (initially a “baby launch”) that will house the parks bond team and transportation project managers; a phase-two launch will bring additional public works project staff into the group. “We want to make sure that we have administrators who are empowered to advocate for the city… and also accountable,” Williams said.
She announced a reorganization splitting utilities from the larger public works department: a new utility services director — Al Carbon, formerly a public works director in the region — will lead water-treatment, collection and distribution teams, while Bradford Kane will lead the remaining public works operations. Assistant City Manager Ben Rogers will oversee those operational portfolios during the transition.
Williams said the FY2026 budget includes an emergency reserve of roughly $4.8 million, and staff will present a budget amendment at the City Commission meeting proposing about $33 million in one-time capital investments funded by general-fund balance and settlement dollars. She also highlighted $88 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) disaster relief dollars tied to the April 2023 flood event and said staff is holding community meetings and collecting input on how to allocate those funds.
City Hall redevelopment was also discussed: staff will present a shortlist of six firms to the City Commission, with a December award expected if the process proceeds on schedule.
Williams asked staff and the task force to celebrate completed projects and to provide clearer communications with residents on projects, operations and emergencies. The manager offered to return to the task force periodically for updates.
