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Andover planning commission approves 2026–2030 capital improvement plan; mill levy projected to fall
Summary
The Andover Planning Commission approved the city's Capital Improvement Plan for 2026–2030, which staff said supports the comprehensive plan and accompanies a budget that reduces the mill levy by 0.824 mills to 42.981; the plan includes major items such as SCBA replacements, street projects with KDOT funding, and park improvements.
The Andover Planning Commission voted to approve the city's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2026 through 2030 after a staff presentation and member questions about funding sources and project timing. Staff emphasized the CIP is a "living document" that reflects budget workshops, grant opportunities, and priorities that can shift year to year.
A staff presenter explained the 2026 program was developed during budget workshops with the council and "as a result of the work that was done on the budget...we were able to present a budget that is a reduction in the mill levy of 0.824 mills."
Key items discussed at the hearing included: - The 2026 programmed capital outlay (presented as roughly $20.5 million in the CIP summary); staff said once the budget is adopted the city is held to that spending authority unless a formal budget amendment is approved. - Fire Department equipment: replacement of self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), budgeted at $550,000 in the CIP; staff and commissioners discussed replacement cycles and unit costs and noted that some grant funding is being pursued to offset the expense. - Staffing and equipment counts: staff stated there are "right around 20 full time firefighters" plus several part-time and reservists who also require equipment; the transcript discussion estimated roughly 10 additional part-time/reserve personnel. - Street and project funding: Founders Parkway work includes a KDOT Corridor Management/Construction Program grant worth $2,000,000; the CIP also restores some previously postponed park projects after a $1,000,000 disaster recovery grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce was applied to a lodge project. - Vehicle and equipment strategies: the CIP references engine replacement/leasing options for fire vehicles (staff noted a $145,000 per-year lease figure for a fire engine replacement plan) and routine replacement schedules for radios and IT equipment (radios at about $5,000 each; computers on a three-year replacement cycle).
Commissioners asked about tradeoffs, the effect of rising prices, and how revenue and grant timing affect whether projects move forward in 2026 or are pushed to later years. Staff reiterated that some projects can proceed earlier if revenues or grants materialize, but moving programmed items earlier requires a formal budget amendment and legal spending authority.
After questions and discussion, Commissioner Gary Israel moved to approve the 2026–2030 CIP as presented; the motion was seconded and approved by the commission.
Staff said the CIP will accompany the annual budget process and that many items remain subject to change pending grant awards, final bid prices, and council budget decisions.
