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Departments press for staff, equipment and capital as council pores over FY2026 book
Summary
Department heads told the council they need new staff, equipment and maintenance funding in FY2026 — from police evidence techs and a jail body‑scanner feasibility item to a Station 5 remodel, Momentum Bike Park completion and additional public works capacity to close ARPA projects.
City department leaders used the FY2026 work session to press operational needs and capital schedules that staff and council said must be balanced against capacity constraints.
Public Works Director Dan Johnson described heavy workloads tied to ARPA project implementation and said, “we are feeling a lot of strain,” noting the department historically handles about $10 million in projects but has recently had much larger workloads. He and others asked council to prioritize closing ARPA projects so routine operations can return to normal.
Public safety requests included an evidence technician position in the police budget and a feasibility move toward jail body‑scanner capability. Police Chief Lewis said officers now travel to Newton County to use a scanner and that an on‑site solution would reduce contraband entering the jail. Fire leadership requested a Station 5 remodel and signaled future apparatus replacement planning for FY2027 and beyond.
Parks and recreation described near‑term capital work: museum roof completion, Joe Becker Stadium parking and road work, installation of Smithsonian traveling exhibits in 2026 and substantial completion of the Momentum Bike Park targeted in November with final completion in January 2026. Parks Director Paul said the bike park project timeline aims to allow a soft opening for users while deferring a larger grand opening.
Neighborhood improvement and housing programs: - The neighborhood improvement program will continue property maintenance enforcement with a proposed shift toward an administrative abatement process to speed results. - Housing revitalization programs have roughly $285,000 remaining and seven homes currently under construction; staff expects that funding to be used shortly.
Other operational items called out across departments included Bluebeam electronic plan‑review software purchases for building and public works; a proposed regional animal control study led by health staff; IT upgrades; a website redesign and increasing emphasis on asset management and inventory work to support accurate insurance/property valuations.
Next steps: department heads will return with more detailed line items and staff answered council questions about phasing, funding sources and what will be tied to any future sales tax renewal vote. Councilmembers pressed for clearer total lifecycle cost estimates on newly proposed assets and for more transparency where studies and capital purchases create new ongoing maintenance needs.
