Waukesha City finance staff reported to the Finance Committee that $19.7 million in governmental and business-type capital funds were carried over from 2024 into 2025.

Finance staff member Jill presented the carryover slide and highlighted major contributors: road resurfacing projects, a large storm-water flood mitigation project in Area 7 and approximately $1.8 million of projects already in progress. Jill said the Area 7 storm-water project alone accounts for roughly half of the carryover balance and began later than planned in 2024.

Other notable carryovers include the city's refuse and recycling container purchases, the CAD/RMS dispatch software replacement (IT project currently in RFQ/design), a fleet backlog of items ordered before year-end and a set of building-maintenance and Park & Rec master-planning projects. Jill said many fleet items are already on order or in shipping.

Committee members asked whether supply-chain delays contributed to higher carryovers; staff confirmed lead times affected several categories, particularly fleet. Jill and Public Works staff member Joe said some contractor bid prices earlier in the year have become more favorable, which could help project schedules move forward.

The presentation included a historical chart showing carryovers since 2018; Jill noted carryovers rose during the 20192021 City Hall and police building projects and that the city aims to reduce carryovers toward 2018 levels. The report was informational and required no committee action.

Staff said external auditors Baker Tilly were scheduled to visit offices in the coming week and reminded the committee the next Finance Committee meeting is May 13.