St. Charles County Council adopts 2026–2030 capital program despite council members’ calls for more review

St. Charles County Council on Aug. 25 adopted the county—executive—submitted 2026—through—2030 capital program and strategic plan, a five-year planning document required by the county charter, after a public hearing and a roll-call vote that passed the resolution. The resolution recorded a mix of yes and no votes and does not itself appropriate funds for projects.

The plan presented by the executive—branch covers projected capital expenditures for 2026 and the following four years; Director Mike Summer told the council, "This is currently a 5 year proposed capital plan that is not will not be funded until the operating budget is approved by the county council later this year." The document lists projects across departments including parks, the Family Arena, corrections, transportation, and a proposed National Equestrian Center site development.

The plan matters because it frames the county—executive—office—and department heads—priorities and guides later budget-year funding decisions, but it does not authorize spending. County Charter Article 6 (sections cited during the meeting) requires the executive to submit a capital program and the council to adopt it before the budget process.

At the public hearing, Arnie C. Deanoff, identified himself as a county public advocate, raised a long list of concerns about projected funding lines and individual items in the plan. He questioned year-to-year changes in funding listed for emergency communications and inmate-related funds, called the Family Arena "a huge money pit," urged stronger security at the juvenile justice center and replacement of courthouse chairs, and asked the county to improve transparency for boards that oversee high-dollar projects. "That center is costing us money, money, money. It's a huge money pit, and we're not even breaking even," Deanoff said of the Family Arena.

Several council members objected to the timing and level of review before adoption. Councilman Joe Bridal said he would not support the plan because he had asked for a work session and "we don't get work sessions like we used to," adding that council members should review large items such as the $31 million NEC line and the jail renovation plans. Bridal cast a recorded no vote when the resolution passed. Others, including Councilmen Swanson, Hammond, Elam, Hollander and Councilwoman York, voted yes; Councilman Baker voted no.

County Executive Steve Ehlmann defended the submission as a planning tool, saying it is a long-range blueprint and not a spending authorization: "This is not a... regular budget. This is... just a blueprint of, at this point, where we think we might be going." He and administration staff noted departments and project-level details will return during the annual budget process, when each year's expenditures must be approved in the operating budget.

The council adopted Resolution 25-09, which the clerk read and which references County Charter article 6 in requiring the executive to submit the capital program. The resolution record shows the roll-call vote with Bridal and Baker voting no and the remaining members voting yes.

What happened next: council members and staff said the plan will be revisited during the formal budget process this fall; specific project appropriations will require separate budget approvals.

Ending: The adopted plan establishes administration priorities for 2026—2030 and frames later budget discussions. Several council members requested additional review and work sessions before project-level spending comes to the council.