Adler Road Trail: city faces $85,000 shortfall after cost increases, council asked to move contingency funds

City staff told a pre-meeting broadcast the Adler Road Trail project has exceeded earlier cost estimates, leaving an $85,000 gap the city must address in its books. The trail — funded largely by a state grant that covers 80% of eligible costs — was awarded funding for design and construction in 2020; staff said construction cost estimates rose over time and that contractors have been paid in accordance with state requirements.

Finance Director Jennifer Solensky documented multiple upward revisions from an initial construction estimate the preview cited as about $380,000; staff told the program the city’s share grew and ultimately created an $85,000 shortfall. At an earlier finance committee meeting the council declined to approve a budget resolution to move contingency funds into the appropriate public-works or parks account for audit purposes.

Steve Barks described council members’ concerns as centered on communication and recordkeeping rather than opposition to the trail itself. “There’s been a turnover of staff along the way,” he said in the preview, noting the city is on its third public-works director since the project began and that better notification practices and procurement controls are being emphasized moving forward.

Staff said the requested budget resolution is primarily an accounting action so the city’s 2026 audit shows spending in the correct line items. The preview identified the item as expected on the Sept. 9 agenda for further council discussion.

The program did not report a final council vote; it noted the finance committee had previously declined the resolution and that council members who pressed for reconsideration asked for clearer documentation and more timely updates on project-cost increases.