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Ashland aldermen adopt FY27 budget, approve infrastructure contracts and several appropriations
Summary
At its April 7 meeting the Ashland Board of Aldermen adopted the fiscal 2027 budget, approved multiple appropriation ordinances and awarded contracts for street work and solid-waste services; the board also approved equipment purchases and closed a TAP grant after debating pedestrian and YMCA project components.
The Ashland Board of Aldermen on April 7 adopted the city’s fiscal 2027 budget and approved a package of ordinances and resolutions covering infrastructure contracts, fund appropriations and equipment purchases.
Mayor Dewey Slater and city staff presented the proposed FY27 budget, effective May 1, 2026, which officials said reflects department head requests and remains flexible for midyear amendments. Finance staff noted the packet included amortization schedules and bond and loan details to provide transparency on outstanding debt and projected cash balances. The board moved to adopt ordinance 1548 on second reading and recorded voice votes in favor.
In related actions the board approved ordinances recognizing and authorizing appropriation of funds to close fiscal year 2026 and to document planned deficit spending in several restricted funds, including a roughly $39,000 reduction in the court fund and about $65,000 drawn from the water fund to complete a lead-service-related project. Staff said those reductions were planned and that the funds remain within policy guidelines.
The board awarded the FY27 mill-and-overlay contract to Christensen Construction Company of Columbia for a total project budget of $295,800; Public Works staff (addressed in the meeting as “Zach”) described the streets slated for work and said the Mustang Drive alternate will be deferred until curb-and-gutter repairs are completed.
Council authorized the water department to purchase 51 prorated-warranty Neptune meters for $8,815.25 to replace failing registers and phase out older devices, and authorized a not-to-exceed $25,600 purchase for replacement pumps and parts at lift stations after staff reported a pump failure on March 30 and explained the need for factory training.
City staff also moved to close out a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant (TAP 9901) and return contributions — including $10,000 from Southern Boone Schools and $30,000 from the YMCA — after staff concluded the MoDOT-scoped project components (sidewalks and rapid-flashing beacons) were not feasible as designed. Staff said closing the grant preserves the city’s ability to reapply in a future cycle and allows components to be completed in-house or re-scoped.
The meeting closed with routine reports from public works and utilities staff on staffing, tree plantings, stormwater repairs and water-system flushing. Council later entered a closed session to discuss litigation and personnel items. The board recorded votes and approvals by voice and roll-call where noted; staff said the budget and associated ordinances are expected to be implemented as presented.
