Council adopts $10 million FY2026 pavement management plan funded by 1¢ transportation sales tax

Stillwater — The City Council voted 5-0 Aug. 18 to approve the fiscal year 2026 pavement management plan, a $10 million package of projects funded primarily by the 1-cent transportation sales tax passed in 2022. "The program is funded by the 1¢ transportation sales tax passed in 2022," Bill Millis, engineering director, told council as he reviewed projects completed, under construction and proposed for FY2026. Millis said staff used a 2022 pavement-condition survey to reprioritize older plans and that the city is working down a backlog of projects dating to 2018. The FY2026 plan includes an estimated $1 million for sidewalk construction (targeting low-cost, high-benefit segments), design work for a pedestrian corridor between downtown and campus, periodic full-depth spot repairs, and a mix of preventive treatments such as crack and joint sealing and microsurfacing. The plan also allocates funding for signal equipment rehabilitation and equipment or contract capacity for roadway work. Millis told council the plan includes a design-only allocation for a costly stretch on 26th Avenue rather than full construction because of budget constraints and overall prioritization. He also emphasized TPAC (Transportation Project Advisory Committee) participation in setting priorities and staff's efforts to package projects to overcome staffing and contractor constraints. Council approved the FY2026 pavement management plan 5-0. Millis said individual project contracts and work orders will return to council for award and authorization as they are ready. Why it matters: The plan is intended to address both urgent reconstruction needs and routine preventive maintenance across roughly 210 lane miles of city streets; staff said updated condition data and increased sales-tax revenue are enabling a larger, more organized program than several years ago. Next steps: Staff will advertise and award individual projects under the approved plan; TPAC will continue to advise on prioritization.