Overland Park manager outlines $500 million 2026 proposed budget, highlights public‑safety hires and stormwater projects

Overland Park City Manager Laurie Curtis Luther presented a high‑level overview of the proposed 2026 budget at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, June 2, 2025, saying the all‑funds total is just under $500 million — a 6.6% increase over 2025. She told the council the budget assumes an unchanged mill rate and reflects assessed‑value growth provided by Johnson County.

Luther said the proposal is built to “maintain a high level of service while supporting a growing population,” and noted the city has added about 10,000 residents since February. She described the presentation as an overview and said detailed line‑item review will occur in committee meetings in June and July.

The budget highlights

The proposal increases total personnel costs by about $8.9 million (roughly a 6.4% increase in personnel costs for the general fund) and lists a net addition of 9.68 full‑time equivalent positions for 2026. Luther identified several of the larger personnel changes: six full‑time positions to staff Fire Station 45, a deputy police chief position, an additional prosecutor, two public works positions, a deputy facilities manager, and a property‑tax rebate program staffer. She also said one new police position — a case manager to be funded by alcohol and opioid settlement funds — would be created for a partnership with Johnson County Mental Health to support people with substance‑use disorders.

On Station 45 specifically, Luther said the city preordered the largest piece of equipment in 2023 and expects delivery by late 2026 or early…