Shawnee public works proposes largely static 2026 budget; $1 million one-time stormwater transfer not repeated

Kevin Manning, Public Works Director, told the Shawnee City Council committee that the department’s 2026 budget will be largely unchanged from 2025 but that a one-time $1,000,000 transfer to stormwater in 2025 will not be repeated in 2026.

Manning said that $1,000,000 was part of a reserve reduction plan and that the general-fund transfer supporting CIP and stormwater will therefore appear reduced in the 2026 figures. “The biggest change you’re gonna see is a 1,000,000 reduction in transfer from the general fund to the CIP and stormwater utility,” Manning said.

Manning reviewed major capital projects the department expects to advance, including Shawnee Mission Parkway, the McEnany SIP project entering construction shortly, the 50 First Street design, and Midland Road construction work that will begin with utility work this year and progress to larger roadway construction next year. He also said staff are preparing to pursue funding and to present options for a potential interchange at K-7/70 Fifth Street and will coordinate with state transportation officials.

He outlined transfers from the general fund to operational and capital categories: $415,000 to street maintenance, $300,000 to the equipment and facilities reserve (for vehicles and heavy equipment), $163,000 for traffic signal replacement reserve, $235,000 for streetlight replacement, $660,000 into stormwater maintenance, and a standing $1,500,000 transfer to the stormwater utility. Manning said the approximately $1.5 million reduction visible in the stormwater line reflects that the $1,000,000 one-time transfer occurred in 2025.

Manning described staffing changes and reassignments across divisions: administration showed a net increase due to reclassification of facility staff into that division; CIP engineering saw some net changes as positions were moved into pavement management and other groups; Manning said the CIP engineering group is fully staffed as of the day after Memorial Day.

On contractor and commodity costs he said personnel makes up roughly 45% of the department’s budget; contract costs include utilities, guardrail repair, mowing and other outsourced work; commodities are dominated by fuel and salt. Manning noted ongoing work to track potential impacts of updated stormwater regulations and said those regulations could affect private development and future CIP costs.

Council members asked about budget variances and the reserve reduction transfer; Manning explained the timing of transfers and that the onetime spending occurred in 2025. No formal vote or adoption of the budget occurred at the committee meeting.

The committee adjourned after the presentations; the council approved a motion to adjourn at the close of the meeting.