Brookings reviews $72.9 million 2025 budget proposal, focuses CIP on maintenance
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Summary
Deputy City Manager Jake Mescher told council the proposed 2025 budget totals $72.9 million with the general fund at about $22.2 million; the 10-year capital improvement plan prioritizes maintenance and replacement projects while funding a few additions such as an inclusive playground and skate-park renovation. The council heard a consolidated fee-schedule package that would raise several user fees, including solid-waste rates.
Deputy City Manager Jake Mescher presented the second budget workshop, telling the Brookings City Council the total requested 2025 budget is $72,900,000 and that the general fund is approximately $22.2 million. Mescher said the proposed budget reflects a modest year-over-year increase driven by special-revenue and debt-service fund activity, staffing additions and operational inflation.
Mescher said the city intends to prioritize maintenance and replacement across the 10-year capital improvement plan rather than pursue broad new expansions. Notable 2025 items highlighted in the CIP include annual street overlay and chip-seal work, a proposed inclusive playground funded in part by a city allocation (city portion cited as approximately $900,000), a $315,000 skate-park renovation, and multiple vehicle and equipment replacements for police, fire and public works. He also identified projected increases to the storm-drainage fund and TIF-driven revenue adjustments tied to local development activity.
Finance Director Ashley Wrench presented the consolidated fee schedule that staff will fold into the budget adoption process. Wrench said the solid-waste residential rate would rise 55 cents per month (to $19.10) and the additional cart fee would rise 20 cents (to $6.20). Landfill and tire-disposal fees would increase, hanger-application fees would rise to $150, and community-development fees would be adjusted — notably a proposed increase in the TIF application fee from $1,000 to $10,000 to align with the city's TIF guidelines. Wrench said other departmental fees (library out-of-county cards, meeting-room reservations, public-works labor and equipment rates) will be updated and that any material changes will be included with the final resolution at second reading.
Councilmembers asked staff to clarify TIF revenue sources and the role of the Bicycle Advisory Committee in implementing the bike master plan. Mescher confirmed the TIF receipts referenced are tied to existing TIF districts and said staff would continue to refine the CIP before final adoption. Parks Director Kristen Zimmerman said the bicycle subcommittee will be reengaged to guide prioritization and outreach for bike-plan projects.
What happens next: staff will present the first reading of the budget ordinance on Oct. 22, with a second reading and budget adoption scheduled for Nov. 12, during which the final CIP and consolidated fee schedule will be considered.
