Lee's Summit finance committee forwards updated fee schedule, audit contract, landfill assurance and budget amendment as officials flag cautious revenue outlook

The City of Lee's Summit Finance and Budget Committee on April 7 recommended a package of ordinances and a budget amendment to city council and heard a presentation projecting modest revenue growth for fiscal year 2026.

The committee voted to advance an ordinance repealing the current schedule of fees and charges and to establish a new schedule to take effect July 1, 2025; to award the city auditing contract for one year with up to four one-year renewals to Forvis Mazars LLP; to authorize a contract of obligation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to satisfy post-closure financial-assurance requirements for the city's solid-waste disposal area; and to approve Budget Amendment No. 8, which includes an $8,000 internal equipment transfer and the addition of an FTE for a facilities and events manager for the Green Street facility.

Why it matters: the fee schedule update and budget amendment adjust how the city collects and allocates revenue and staff resources, the audit contract determines the vendor that will produce the city's annual financial reports, and the MDNR assurance secures regulatory requirements for a closed landfill with a 30-year post-closure period noted by staff.

Schedule-of-fees and airport changes Rick Gentry, budget manager, explained that the annual schedule-of-fees item consolidates department requests for fee adjustments. Departments proposed changes including a 2.9% CPI-based increase for airport hangar rental rates, new rates and amenities for a newly completed Hangar 2 (including a $200 monthly utility allowance and conference-room access), revised tie-down ranges to reflect larger aircraft, and a second de-icing option. The airport will also double certain special-event rates to help recoup additional staffing and equipment costs when large regional events place extra demand on…