Committee members pressed Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Design and Construction staff about how the city will procure major equipment and complete capital projects amid supply and inflation risks.

DPR Director Laura Thielen told the committee that some truck purchases have been included in operating with TAT cash funding but that national trade uncertainty could make contracts and delivery of heavy equipment volatile. "It may be difficult to enter into a contract with somebody, for delivery of heavy equipment when prices are gonna be so uncertain," she said, and raised the possibility of moving truck purchases into the CIP to allow a longer encumbrance window.

Committee members had previously budgeted a mix of operating and CIP funding for trucks: Thielen said roughly $1 million in operating funds for trucks was included previously, and the current CIP showed about $750,000 for trucks. Bureau of Financial Services rules, she explained, generally place items costing under $60,000 or with a lifespan under 10 years in operating, while heavier equipment is placed into CIP and debt-funded purchases.

On pools and maintenance, Thielen said DPR is pursuing master agreements with the Department of Design and Construction to streamline replastering and retiling work across 21 pools. "Once we can get that contract, bid out and finalized, we will then schedule a certain amount of work to be done each year and methodically go through all 21 of our pools," she said.

Design and Construction director-designate Hako Millis told the committee that costs for replacing Waikiki surfboard racks are higher partly because the rebuilt racks will include fire-suppression systems and stronger structures after prior fires destroyed earlier racks. "It's going to be a bit of a stronger structure than it was before... That's the main reason why the costs are so high," Millis said.

The committee also discussed a proposed Waimanalo pump track that DPR supports; Thielen said cost increases were likely because developers moved from plans for a dirt facility to a more durable asphalt surface. DPR sought $250,000 in FY26 for security services related to the Haiku Stairs on the Kaneohe side until removal is complete; Thielen said she expects the security need to end once the stairs are dismantled.

Why it matters: Procurement timing and whether items are budgeted as operating or CIP affect the city's ability to obtain equipment, manage costs and schedule capital work. Fire-suppression requirements and long lead times affect project budgets and scheduling.