Midyear budget review: Hyde Park flags stormwater costs, water projects and a leaking 500,000-gallon tank

Donia (Finance) presented Hyde Park's midyear budget review on Jan. 28, reporting revenue at approximately 62% year-to-date and expenditures roughly in the 40%–46% range. She said planning and zoning expenses were high (driven by subdivision engineering fees) and recommended no midyear adjustments at this time.

City staff briefed the council on water-infrastructure items: two major water projects remain — a well house and a transmission line to Lions Park — and a 500,000-gallon tank at Juniper Trails has developed a leak. Staff said the leak is "not catastrophic" but will require a creative and likely costly repair and that they will return to council before issuing a repair contract.

Council members and staff also discussed a grant award for Wolfpack Way of about $3,800,000, noting the funds were originally allocated for 2027 but that staff plan to go to bid in the spring and to coordinate property acquisition. Staff indicated they will apply for the remaining portion of the project later (an additional roughly $5,000,000 was discussed as a future application). Donia also said the city will put out to bid for audit services per state recommendations on a 5–7 year cadence; the timeline and contract terms will be handled through the procurement process.

Staff said stormwater audit work required significant outside engineering support this year and contributed to higher planning and engineering costs. Council members said they are continuing efforts to assess subterranean water lines before road overlays to reduce future maintenance costs.