Kirkwood council adopts fiscal 2025–26 budget and approves several ordinances and contracts

Kirkwood City Council members adopted the City of Kirkwood operating and capital budgets for fiscal 2025–26 and approved a package of ordinances and resolutions on March 20, 2025.

The council passed an ordinance adopting the city operating budget and capital program that appropriates $130,101,910 for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2025, with capital projects totaling $31,022,110; the ordinance also appropriates $800,300 for interfund loan payments and reappropriates $1,959,460 for previously approved projects that will remain incomplete as of March 31, 2025. Council discussion ahead of the vote included concerns about flat revenues, rising expenses, water-rate increases included in the budget, and public-safety staffing and overtime levels. Council member Jack Sedick said, “I am gonna support this even though I have some hesitancy in there,” citing the need for continued oversight; others urged earlier access to financial actuals and called the budget a starting point for further work.

The council also approved the Special Business District budget for the same fiscal year and adopted an amendment to the city code (Chapter 14, Article 8, Section 14396, Schedule F) that lowers speed limits on specified streets and adds a marked crosswalk between PJ’s and Duffy’s on Kirkwood Road.

On new business the council advanced Bill 11072 — a revised City of Kirkwood classification and pay plan — after a heated first-reading debate. A motion to continue consideration until April 3 failed; the ordinance passed first reading and will return for second reading where the council may amend it. The classification-and-pay-plan discussion focused on an internal reclassification tied to parks/KPAC staffing; staff said implementing the change sooner preserves operational continuity and yields approximately $21,000 in annual savings compared with the alternative of hiring externally.

Resolutions approved included appointments to the Manchester Lindbergh Southeast Community Improvement District board, acceptance of a $17,389.42 bid from Enterprise Consulting Group for Check Point software support, and award of an as-needed general-contracting services contract to Mittendorf and Royce Construction, Inc., for an initial 12-month term with renewal options.

Roll-call votes were taken for ordinances and resolutions; where full named tallies were not read into the record the meeting minutes record the item as passing or as having advanced to the next reading. Several items were described by staff as routine or budgeted; council members used the roll-call and debate time to press for clearer financial reporting and closer monitoring of overtime and staffing levels.

Votes at a glance - Bill 11069a — Ordinance adopting operating and capital budgets for FY 04/01/2025–03/31/2026 (appropriations total $130,101,910; capital $31,022,110; $800,300 for interfund loans; $1,959,460 reappropriated): final reading — approved. - Bill 11070 — Ordinance approving Special Business District budget for FY 04/01/2025–03/31/2026: final reading — approved. - Bill 11071 — Ordinance amending Chapter 14 schedule F (speed limits / crosswalk): final reading — approved. - Bill 11072 — Ordinance adopting a revised classification and pay plan: first reading — passed first reading (motion to continue failed); second reading scheduled. - Resolution 15-20-25 — Appointments to Manchester Lindbergh Southeast CID board: approved. - Resolution 16-20-25 — Acceptance of Enterprise Consulting Group bid for Check Point software support ($17,389.42): approved. - Resolution 17-20-25 — Award of general contracting services contract to Mittendorf and Royce Construction, Inc. (on-call, up to $15,000 task limit): approved.

Decisions recorded by the clerk will be reflected in the official minutes and in ordinance and resolution documents to be filed with city records.