St. Charles County Council adopts 2026 budget, amends TIP to add Upper Bottom sidewalk engineering and local sound-wall fund

The St. Charles County Council on Dec. 15 adopted a substitute fiscal year 2026 budget and amended the county's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) to add two locally driven infrastructure items: $100,000 for engineering work on a sidewalk along Upper Bottom Road and $650,000 to create a sound-wall fund for the Norwood/Knollwood corridor.

The council voted to replace the originally introduced FY2026 budget with a substitute version (Substitute Bill 54-47), which passed with one dissenting vote from Councilman Bridal. During debate on Bill 54-49 (the TIP for fiscal years 2026———2028) Councilman Tim Baker moved to add the Upper Bottom sidewalk study; the body amended the TIP to transfer $100,000 from the economic development line (line 124) into a new line-item (1-31) for sidewalk engineering. "We're not asking for luxury. We're asking for safety," petitioner Kevin Arndt had told the council earlier, urging the sidewalk to connect a small neighborhood to Spring Bend Park and the Katy Trail.

Councilmembers then debated a separate amendment to create a local sound-wall line (1-32) and transfer $650,000 from the same economic development fund toward a Knollwood/Norwood sound-wall project. Council proponents said residents near the highway are experiencing sustained high decibel levels and that MoDOT has declined to provide mitigation under federal criteria in some cases; opponents warned the vote set a precedent for disparate one-off requests without a countywide standard. After extended discussion the council approved the $650,000 amendment; the amended TIP passed on a recorded roll call.

Parks and public-works staff told the council the Upper Bottom sidewalk proposal likely needs planning and some right-of-way or temporary easements but estimated engineering would be roughly $100,000 and construction could follow when the final design and cost estimate are completed. Staff also confirmed the TIP and its line items can be amended in-year and that highway/road-board review would provide engineering specifics before construction bids.

The council also considered other capital items during the meeting: staff described an estimated $30 million multi-year plan to address deferred maintenance and upgrades at the NEC (National Equestrian Center) including reroofing and systems work; the parks director provided 2024 NEC operating figures showing roughly $1.996 million in revenue and $1.5 million in operating expenses, a net of about $421,000 (not including capital costs).

What happens next: the $100,000 engineering allocation is in the TIP so staff can develop schematic designs and a construction budget recommendation for council consideration. The newly created sound-wall line is a county-controlled allocation; staff will report back on feasibility (including ROW and MoDOT coordination) and on criteria that would govern future requests.

Votes and actions: Substitute Bill 54-47 (FY2026 budget) passed (roll call recorded; Councilman Bridal voted No). Amended Bill 54-49 (TIP 2026———2028) passed after the two amendments (adding line 1-31 and line 1-32). Specific transfers recorded: $100,000 from economic development (line 124) to line 1-31 for Upper Bottom sidewalk engineering; $650,000 from economic development (line 124) to line 1-32 for Knollwood/Norwood sound-wall fund.

Council members asked staff to return with cost estimates, criteria for sound walls, and the engineering deliverables required for a construction appropriation. The council adjourned after completing the agenda.