Wilmington Public Works requests $40.8 million in FY26; council presses on paving, ADA ramps and staffing

Wilmington’s Department of Public Works presented a proposed FY2026 operating budget of approximately $40.8 million combined for the general and motor vehicle funds and answered detailed questions about street paving plans, ADA curb ramps, contracted maintenance and workforce vacancies.

The department requested $31.4 million for the general fund (an increase of about $1.47 million) and $9.5 million for the motor vehicle fund. Personal services make up most of the general fund increase; material, supplies and equipment lines and a rise in contracted maintenance and brine equipment support also figure prominently.

Why it matters: street paving, sidewalk repairs and sanitation services are high‑visibility city services that directly affect residents’ daily life and local economic activity. Council members repeatedly sought details on scheduling, funding sources and accountability for contractors and utilities performing road cuts.

Highlights of the presentation included an itemized account of personal‑service changes, a description of split‑funded positions, and line‑item increases for repairs and building maintenance tied to the municipal service complex. The department noted $2,715,000 remaining in bond funds for street paving and $1,183,000 remaining for ADA curb ramp and sidewalk compliance from previous capital appropriations. The capital request included $7 million for street paving, $1 million for emergency sidewalk repairs, $2 million for Wilmington Transportation Initiative local match funds, and $2 million for ADA curb ramps and sidewalk compliance, all subject to securing capital funding.

Commissioner Kelly Williams summarized the department’s mission: "The Department of Public Works' mission is to operate and maintain critical infrastructure and facilities, provide superior service for our customers, and promote resiliency." He and Deputy Commissioner Vincent Caroccia and Administrative Services Director Derek Akbar then responded to council questions.

Council members asked how the department prioritizes paving and sidewalk work. Public Works described a biennial pavement condition assessment and a two‑week look‑ahead map published on the city website; the department coordinates with utilities and grant schedules before scheduling permanent restoration to avoid repeated cuts. Officials said they run a pavement condition inventory of roughly 153 miles of city streets and use that data and available budget to prioritize segments.

On ADA curb ramps, staff said the city has completed roughly 1,027 ramps since 2017 but cannot give a precise percentage complete until a mayor’s office–led ADA assessment is finished later this summer. The department explained that federal ADA standards and changes to truncated‑dome specifications require some locations to be redone when noncompliant or damaged.

Public Works described increased contracted maintenance of about $4.04 million to fund brine‑making machines for winter ice control, engineering and design for brine infrastructure, and facility maintenance at the municipal complex. Asset management contracts for municipal building repairs and operations were discussed, including a split‑cost arrangement with Newcastle County for the city–county building.

Fleet and motor vehicle fund details: the motor vehicle replacement program request totals about $6.6 million in replacement planning; the city also proposed a number of added vehicles for departments. Staff said hybrid and electric vehicles are ordered where state contract availability permits and noted several existing hybrids/EVs across departments.

On staffing and hiring, the department reported 30–35 vacancies historically and 35 vacancies at the time of the hearing, with active recruitment and recent hires. The street cleaning division downgraded four equipment‑operator positions to general labor to reduce hiring barriers tied to CDL requirements. The department relies on temporary staffing, agencies and consultants in some areas and said many temporary hires are given the opportunity to apply for permanent positions.

Public members and council raised problems with potholes, repeated restorations after utility work, broken or out lights, and requests for better resident notification about planned water shutdowns. The department said it delivers door‑to‑door notices for scheduled work and posts a public two‑week look‑ahead and travel advisories on the city website; staff also said the water division is collecting phone numbers and offering an opt‑in SMS update service for customers.

Ending note: Council members asked for follow‑up maps and lists of completed segments and sidewalk work; Public Works said it can pull reports from its asset management system and will provide follow‑up material to council staff.