Ferguson City Council reviews draft CIP with $8.6 million in requests, parks plan hinges on $4.6 million grant

Ferguson City Council met in a work session to review changes to the draft Capital Improvement Program for fiscal 2026–27, with Finance Director Audra Penkins saying the draft totals about $8.6 million for 2027 and that several large projects are grant‑dependent.

Penkins told the council, “the big number, that we have to mitigate is $8,600,000.” She said that the single largest line is a parks project of about $4,600,000 that is listed as a grant and “will not happen unless the grant is approved and funds become available.” With that parks line and other grant items deducted, Penkins said the city’s expected out‑of‑pocket obligation is closer to $3,700,000.

The finance director also noted a reimbursement expected for a recently completed community center playground: staff said the city anticipates “approximately $450,000 in reimbursement for that project.” Council members asked when grant…