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DPW director tells committee snow, encampment work and illegal dumping response are driving budget pressures
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Summary
DPW Director Jorge Jaime told the Budget and Finance Committee that a severe winter, encampment cleanups tied to the rail‑trail project and unexpected emergency work have increased spending; the department reports encumbrances around $4.1M and CAFO flagged a $4.4M snow & ice shortfall to be addressed with a future free‑cash transfer request.
The Department of Public Works presented a year‑to‑date budget review on April 27 as the City prepares its next fiscal‑year budget. DPW Director Jorge Jaime said the department is under a spending freeze but that many FY26 appropriations are already encumbered for projects such as parks, streets and sidewalk work.
Jaime cited an unusually active winter and higher costs for equipment and fuel as reasons snow and ice spending exceeded typical levels. "We had a very difficult winter, and there was a lot of snow removal," he said, noting earlier years’ comparisons and higher unit costs. The CAFO later told the committee she expects to request free cash to cover a snow & ice deficit she estimated at about $4.4 million.
Councilors asked detailed line‑item questions: encumbrances (reported around $4.1 million) and which encumbrances are contractual versus discretionary; the director said major contract items such as trash removal and disposal account for the largest encumbrances. Jaime said overtime spiked because DPW worked with the police department to clear encampments for the rail‑trail project and to support contractors.
Members also questioned which department purchases and maintains surveillance or illegal‑dumping cameras. Director Jaime said cameras are primarily handled by ISD and that DPW's role is limited to facilitating IT/phone connections and some installations at the DPW yard. Councilor LaPlante reminded the committee of the surveillance ordinance (Chapter 9.025) and asked staff to consult that ordinance when purchases or deployments intersect with privacy or reporting requirements.
On solid‑waste costs, Jaime reported approximately $5.5 million spent year‑to‑date for collection and disposal compared with nearly $8 million actuals last year; he said the contract will be rebid and he expects costs to remain a pressure. The committee asked for a breakdown of emergency expenditures tied to specific incidents and for documentation the director will provide in the next budget session.
