Finance committee delays final FY2026 appropriations vote, prioritizes City Hall generator and transfer‑switch replacement

At a finance committee meeting, members deferred final approval of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations and directed staff to prioritize replacement of a failing transfer switch and to size and price a new generator for City Hall.

The move matters because the transfer switch and generator problems have caused intermittent power fluctuations and degraded lighting in the finance office and could affect services that rely on City Hall power, including police and fire department connectivity, committee members were told.

John (staff member) told the committee he had asked Brent (staff member) to keep the appropriations review on the agenda and that final TIF (tax increment financing) numbers are expected by the end of the week and will be inserted into the TIF intergovernmental agreements and revenue estimates. "After that, the budget will be very close to its completed form," John said. He said the committee will need to post the budget and hold a public hearing before a final vote.

John described current power problems: "The flickering lights are too so bad in the finance office that we're -- we have the lights off," and explained electricians told staff the transfer switch has corroded components and has exceeded its useful life. He said the transfer switch ties the generator into building power and is contributing to the ongoing fluctuations. Committee members discussed whether the generator could be run directly; John said the transfer switch issues affect power even when the generator is in use.

The city plans to use an existing state bid for the vendor Cummins to size and purchase the generator. John said the city has provided Ameren utility data to the vendor to ensure the new generator is sized correctly. He said the generator and associated labor — including relocating the transfer switch to the exterior of the building — will be prioritized over other planned City Hall renovations and may push those other projects into the next fiscal year. "We are getting input from electrical engineers on it," John said.

Committee members asked follow-up questions about property and appraisal work connected to the appropriations. John confirmed the appropriation includes funds related to a property west of the Public Works building but that an appraisal of that building is not yet complete.

Rather than take a final vote at the meeting, the committee agreed to schedule the public hearing and final approval at the first July general meeting. John said a final draft of the budget will be circulated to committee members in advance and posted for the public prior to the hearing.

The committee did not take any formal appropriations vote at the session; members instead provided direction to staff to finalize outstanding technical items (TIF numbers, generator sizing, and the transfer‑switch replacement) and return with a posted budget and public hearing in July.