Akron releases $368 million 2025 capital investment plan, highlights sewer and water needs

Mayor Malik and city staff presented the proposed 2025 capital investment budget Tuesday, saying it totals $368,000,000 and directs major spending to the city’s sewer and water systems.

"This year's capital budget seeks to make real meaningful investments in our community, in our transportation infrastructure, in our water and sewer utility systems, in our parks and community spaces," Mayor Malik said. He added the administration sought to be "fiscally responsible" and kept proposed general obligation debt below $12,000,000 on the advice of the finance department.

Planning Director Kyle Julian and long-range planning staff described public engagement used to shape priorities. Julian said ward-level presentations and resident exercises produced a clear set of priorities that informed allocations.

The proposed budget assigns 39% of investment to sewer infrastructure and 20% to water system projects. City staff estimate 75% of the capital spending will be supported by state and federal sources and 23% by local sources including income tax revenues, an IT4 (quarter-percent) tax, general obligation debt, special assessments and user fees.

Budget documents submitted to council also separate water and sewer into distinct sections — staff said the split highlights decades of heavier sewer investment driven in part by a consent decree while water needs have accumulated.

City staff noted the capital budget focuses on infrastructure and capital assets, distinct from the operating budget, which addresses staffing and recurring expenses. Appendices in the packet show historic capital spending by category and IT4-specific expenditures for police, fire and roads.