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Board of Public Service details ARPA spending, capital backlog and fleet priorities
Summary
Rich Bradley told the committee the Board of Public Service has spent about $111 million of roughly $131 million in ARPA allocations and described a capital needs list exceeding $460 million; equipment services described fleet gaps and contractor support to maintain vehicles.
Rich Bradley, president of the Board of Public Service, told the Budget & Public Employees Committee on May 12 that the board has expended roughly $111 million of about $131 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, leaving approximately $20.3 million unspent and committed to projects such as arterial paving and a public safety answering point (911 dispatch) upgrade.
"We have expended almost $111 million. We're 84.5% spent out," Bradley said, noting heavy construction season spending and expectations to exhaust remaining ARPA funds by the end of the year. He said the new 911 facility is approximately half complete and expected to be completed in the second quarter of next year.
Bradley also outlined capital needs for the city — more than $460 million in total, with roughly $225–226 million categorized as critical. He said the board prioritized projects consistent with complete streets principles, the citizen advisory committee recommendations and grant opportunities, including federal matching funds.
Facilities Management (9003) described increases driven by emergency repairs (asbestos abatement, underground storage tanks and HVAC replacement) and utility price projections (10–15% increases across electric, gas and steam vendors). Rick Ernst, commissioner for equipment services, said the city operates four garages and maintains roughly 5,000 motorized units; vacancies have left the division supplementing staff with a contracted provider (Launch) to keep vehicles in service.
On fleet parts and inventory, the board said it is moving to a contracted parts management model (IBS Napa) to shorten parts lead times and reduce the burden on mechanics. Bradley said ambulance purchases and major fire apparatus are funded from citywide capital appropriations.
Other BPS items presented to the committee included the Office of Special Events' permitting work and Soldiers Memorial operations (the museum partnership with the Missouri Historical Society and Taylor Family Foundation renovation gift). Soldiers Memorial superintendent Lana Magnuson described ongoing exhibitions and commemorative events.
Bradley said the overall BPS budget proposal represents about a 5% increase over FY26, mainly to support personnel and operational costs in facilities management and equipment services. Committee members asked for clarifications about specific line items and how emergency maintenance needs are prioritized across city buildings.
