Mayor Brennan told council that the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment approved an earmark of $1,092,000 for sewer upgrades in University Heights on July 15. "Thanks to our lobbying efforts in Washington DC, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior Environment met on July 15 and approved for University Heights an earmark of $1,092,000 for sewer upgrades," the mayor said.

Why it matters: If enacted, the earmark would provide federal funds that can be programmed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for municipal sewer upgrades. The mayor said the earmark is separate from $700,000 the city received from the state in a prior capital bill.

Mayor's caveat: The mayor stressed congressional approval of the full federal budget and EPA programming is still required before the city can spend the funds. "After full committee approval, there will be a wait and see period while the full federal budget for fiscal year 26 is negotiated in the House and Senate before enactment, hopefully by this December," he said.

Next steps: The mayor thanked U.S. Congresswoman Chantal Brown for supporting the project and said the city will await final federal action and EPA guidance on programming the earmark.