Public works outlines stormwater equipment purchases, street projects and warns solid‑waste fund is strained

Director Tate opened the Public Works section of the work session by describing a multi‑division approach to FY27 budgeting that emphasizes maintenance, project closeouts and staff-led presentations by division supervisors.

Streets supervisor Barnett reported more than 500 work orders this fiscal year and described priorities including ADA sidewalk connectivity, guardrail work and striping; operational proposals include a 40% reduction in travel and a 25% cut to small equipment lines while safety supplies increase to cover PPE and traffic-control devices.

Solid waste representative Miss Johnson outlined service volumes (thousands of bulk pickups, tons of household waste and hundreds of brush pickups) and emphasized rising disposal, fuel and vehicle costs. Staff noted the residential solid-waste fee remains $192 annually under a 2009 ordinance and that FY27 is likely the final year the department can avoid an adjustment; staff said they will return separately with a fee‑adjustment proposal.

Stormwater supervisor Lewis Broom presented a one‑time investment strategy to build in‑house capacity: new confined‑space training, CDL tanker endorsements for two staff, an ArcGIS-enabled field iPad (to convert the ARPA‑funded inventory into a living dataset) and a pole‑mounted inspection camera. Broom said the stormwater fund would see a drawdown (an estimated $203,922) this year largely to buy non‑recurring assets that should reduce recurring costs and reliance on contractors.

Tate and other directors said several projects are funded via State Street Aid or grants (e.g., low-water‑bridge replacement and resurfacing) and that the city will pay local matches from the dedicated fund rather than the general fund where possible. No formal votes were taken; directors asked the commission to accept division budgets as the staff prepares ordinance language for future consideration.