Public Works committee recommends 2026 operating budget, adds two maintenance positions and stormwater equipment

The Overland Park Public Works Committee unanimously recommended approval of the city's proposed 2026 operating budget and 2026'2030 capital improvements and maintenance programs, advancing the package to the Committee of the Whole.

Committee members approved the public works portion after a presentation by Kyle Dainger of the budget office and Jean McDonald, director of finance and budget; Lorraine (Public Works director) gave initial staff remarks and introduced the new slide presentation format for action items. "You're gonna notice a little bit of a different format" she told the committee, explaining staff would add slides and exhibits to summarize recommendations.

The recommendation matters because it sets staff and project funding for public works and stormwater programs for the coming fiscal year and signals the department's staffing and equipment priorities.

Citywide figures in the presentation showed a $498.6 million proposed 2026 budget, with the general fund at about $354.1 million (a 6.5% increase). Public works's operating budget was presented as $25.1 million in aggregate, a 4.5% increase from 2025. Staff told members about two proposed personnel increases: two additional maintenance worker positions dedicated to sidewalk work and capital projects (budgeted cost about $140,000), and $75,000 for a dedicated stormwater inspection vehicle to house video inspection equipment. Stormwater fund details: a $24.6 million recommended budget with a beginning fund balance of $11.5 million; roughly half of the total is projected 2026 current revenues and about $5.72 million is for day-to-day operating expenses.

Committee members asked several questions about the stormwater utility fee and long-term fee strategy. Staff said the utility was started in 2001, saw a significant adjustment around 2016, and the city typically evaluates smaller fee increases about every other year (commonly around $1'$2 per residential equivalent) to maintain buying power rather than to reach a fixed numeric target. Staff also clarified that stormwater revenues include both the utility fee and a mill-levy component that affects how nonprofits, schools and churches contribute.

The presentation included a single CIP change: project BR1902 (bridges on Plum Road south of 150th Street) lost a previously anticipated $500,000 in congressionally directed/federal funding for FY2027. Staff said the gap was backfilled with $250,000 of city cash and $250,000 from Johnson County. Staff noted the overall capital total did not change in the updated CIP package.

Committee members expressed gratitude to Public Works staff for implementation work on the city's street/stormwater program. After discussion, a motion to recommend approval of the proposed 2026 operating budget, 2026'2030 CIP and maintenance program, and strategic goals carried on a voice vote, 6-0.

Clarifying details provided at the meeting were incorporated into the committee motion and the materials that will proceed to the Committee of the Whole; staff said the fund statements and department budgets are available in the working papers (public packet) starting at the public works section.

Votes and next steps: The committee vote was 6-0 to forward the budget package to the Committee of the Whole; the Committee of the Whole and then City Council will consider the full citywide budget and CIP later in the budget calendar.