Residents raise budget concerns as Webster Groves reviews SS4A safety grant, stormwater projects, parks and fire department needs

A member of the public urged the Webster Groves City Council on Tuesday to avoid spending beyond need and to consider returning excess general-fund dollars to taxpayers, while staff delivered a series of FY27 budget presentations on transportation safety, stormwater priorities, sustainability and parks improvements.

Public comment: Ben Brohammer of 1371 Grant Road told the council the city’s general fund shows approximately $11 million above required reserves, and warned that resurrecting a proposed economic development sales tax could be premature when that balance exists. He also criticized what he called limited public engagement on the South Elm project and noted a comparatively high undervote rate in the April 7 election, framing that as resident disengagement.

Staff presentations and key points: • SS4A (Safe Streets for All): Staff outlined differences between the SS4A planning grant and a forthcoming implementation grant, noting overlapping timelines. Environmental review has been submitted to Federal Highways and will be reviewed by tribal authorities and the state historic preservation office before Federal Highways’ formal sign-off. Staff said the final draft of the comprehensive safety action plan will be presented in May and that demonstration projects (permanent installations pending successful grants) will include before-and-after surveys and outreach (signage, social media).

• Stormwater: The newly seated Stormwater Management Advisory Commission prioritized projects that score highly, address area flooding, and avoid private easements. Projects highlighted include an inlet on Ununice Avenue near Deer Creek Park, Southwest Park inlet work, and work in Glendale/Brookdale. Staff said unspent FY26 funds would remain in the stormwater project bucket for FY27 use.

• Sustainability: For FY27 the city created a dedicated sustainability line-item (approximately $59,000), expanding the solar rebate to cover heat pumps and EV chargers and supporting the Green Dining Alliance (Betty’s Books joined to bring membership to 10).

• Parks and Prop W projects: Parks & Recreation presented a Prop W-funded capital program that includes a $600,000 skate-park replacement, $1.4 million for Ivory Crockett improvements with heated restrooms and a splash pad, and a $1.5 million multi-use pavilion with concessions at Memorial Park. The department also proposed $400,000 for ADA play features across multiple parks, trail connections near Southwest Park, and vehicle/equipment replacements.

• Fire department needs and dispatch concerns: New Fire Chief John Bradley outlined FY27 increases driven by salaries, benefits and some debt service; capital asks include cyclical replacement of firefighter protective gear (to maintain two sets per firefighter, per industry guidance), hose replacement, and updated Knox key security devices. Council and the chief discussed mutual-aid roles of battalion chiefs for neighboring jurisdictions. Chief Bradley also acknowledged firefighter concerns about ECDC dispatch performance and said he will pursue performance metrics and discussions with area chiefs and ECDC leadership.

What’s next: Staff said grant timelines and environmental reviews will determine project sequencing; council authorized a study with neighboring municipalities to explore a regional fire authority but emphasized that authorization is for study only, not a commitment to change governance. Council will take further votes if and when project-specific contracts, grant awards or intergovernmental agreements are presented.