Merriam City presents annual report summarizing fiscal results, projects and service metrics

City officials presented Merriam’s annual report during the council meeting, summarizing last year’s departmental performance, key capital projects and a set of service metrics for residents and businesses.

City Administrator Ingle framed the report as a consolidated overview produced by staff under the “Team Merriam” values. He and department heads highlighted operating results, major projects and service improvements across administration, finance, community development, public safety, parks and public works.

Finance director (newly hired) reported unaudited fiscal-year results showing planned capital spending that produced an approximately $4 million budget-to-actual deficit for fiscal 2024; staff said that deficit was planned and funded and that core indicators—bond ratings and sales-tax rates—remain strong. The Merriam Community Center was singled out for strong revenue performance and operating discipline: staff said the center produced revenue above budget while keeping expenditures under budget.

Community Development Director Brian Dyer said the department issued a record 748 permits in 2024 (a recent high), and staff highlighted residential exterior and sustainability grant programs that reimbursed dozens of homeowners and leveraged private spending (staff reported $170,000 in city reimbursements and roughly $828,000 in total leveraged project value). Officials said 63 households received residential tax rebates totaling about $42,000 (roughly $660 per household).

Communications staff reported growth across social platforms, a Spanish-language digital translation of the highlights and visitor guide, and multiple communications awards. Tourism and economic development manager Karen Crane said Merriam welcomed 40 new businesses in 2024 and reported digital impressions for the dual-language visitor guide (English: roughly 3,547 impressions; Spanish: roughly 2,402 impressions).

Police and fire leaders gave operational snapshots: Police noted a year-over-year reduction in several crime categories, roughly 9,400 calls for service and 852 arrests; the co-responder mental-health unit recorded more than 200 9-1-1 co-responses and multiple diversions from emergency departments or incarceration. Fire reported contract renewal with Overland Park emergency services, fire-response statistics and about 1,900 calls in the Merriam service area (about 80% EMS).

Parks and recreation leaders said membership visitation and program participation increased substantially (membership visitation up about 49%; program participation up across multiple categories) and that revenue rose 14% in 2024 while staff worked to improve cost recovery. Parks and public-works directors reviewed street, sidewalk, lighting and stormwater investments, said the city applied for and received external grants (including approximately $2.8 million in Surface Transportation Program funds for the Merriam Drive project) and listed a total of more than $19 million in active project budgets across more than a dozen projects.

City staff also provided project-timeline updates: the underground-utilities work and Merriam Grand Station remained active; the mill-and-overlay program and Water 1 water-main relocation were scheduled to begin in spring; and staff said an April start for mill/overlay work and a May completion window were likely for parts of northeast Johnson County. Caitlin Gard provided a single-hauler (trash-collection) procurement update, saying bids were received, the work group had held multiple follow-up meetings and a March 24 work session will present full bid materials and staff recommendations.

Council did not take final policy actions on these items at the meeting; the presentations were submitted for information and will be available on the city website.