Fountain trims resurfacing budget and focuses grants on Link Road as many residential streets need rebuilds

City streets and public-works staff briefed the council on a constrained 2026 streets program that preserves major thoroughfares while acknowledging many residential streets now require full rebuilds rather than preservation techniques like chip seal.

Streets Manager Bob said that because the city previously spent heavily on resurfacing certain corridors, staff prioritized preservation where it still yields benefit; many residential roads, he warned, are past the point of preservation and will need full reconstruction in future years. The street-resurfacing fund was increased to $1,000,000 in a 2025 amendment to complete current work, leaving roughly $500,000 going into 2026; for 2026 staff programmed $660,000 for projects.

Link Road and grants: Ben, public-works engineering lead, described the Link Road project—identified as a transportation master-plan priority—that is progressing faster than expected under PPACG-administered grant funding. He noted an anticipated developer access-fee inflow (Ben/Scott referenced a figure around $7.68 million) that staff suggested earmarking for street improvements when the payments are realized rather than counting them as current-year revenue.

Capital corrections: Shauna reported an adjustment to the street capital fund after books were printed: $838,500 of projects were added to 2026 (a $400,000 span-wire light at Jimmy Camp/Ohio and $438,500 for quiet-zone improvements at Ohio/Indiana), which would draw the street-capital fund down substantially if approved.

Next steps: council members asked staff to consider options for dedicating one-time revenue to street rebuilding and for pursuing additional PPACG funding. Staff said they will return with details and timing once property acquisition and probate processes for key corner parcels are resolved.