Public Works Director Norris addressed O&M and the capital improvements program for FY26, saying seven departmental budgets were at or below the city manager’s 3% mandate and outlining CIP priorities.

Norris told the council the CIP committee reviewed 88 projects and that the department requested a payment-maintenance and rehabilitation line of $2,000,000; he said that level typically was reduced to $1,000,000 and warned that “$1,000,000 does not go very far” for pavement work. He said even a $2,000,000 program would only address a small number of roads and that staff will present a proposed FY26 pavement program at a future public‑works committee meeting.

Why it matters: pavement condition and routine maintenance affect safety, vehicle wear and long‑term infrastructure costs; the director said the amount proposed is not sufficient to catch up with past deferred maintenance and encouraged councilors to consider funding options.

Norris also reviewed personnel requests carried over from a 2022 workforce/master plan: the budget included a final wastewater treatment plant operator position planned across prior years and a reinstated water treatment chief operator to support anticipated plant expansions and compliance with an EPA individual permit; he said larger future treatment systems will require additional licensed operators.

Councilors asked about snow‑removal costs and line-item shifts. The director said FY25 included a transfer from contingency to buy salt after a heavy winter and that DigSafe and striping costs have climbed, increasing certain professional‑services lines. He said the department converted several part‑time laborer roles to full time over prior budgets and proposed converting a remaining part‑time public‑buildings laborer to full time to sustain increased park and grounds work and new playground upkeep.

No formal actions were taken; the director’s presentation emphasized funding limits and urged councilors to weigh additional pavement funding during deliberations.