Keokuk workshop details FY2026 public-works priorities: sewer emergency fund, trucks and pool repairs

Keokuk City held a FY2026 public-works budget workshop on Jan. 25 where department staff reviewed operating changes and capital requests that could affect service continuity and future rates.

Brian, the public-works presenter, summarized line-item adjustments across sewer maintenance, airport, streets, parks and sanitation and said the department wants to begin rebuilding a sewer emergency reserve. "This is the account we use for sewer emergencies like the collapse we had over here on Sixth, and so we'd like to start rebuilding that fund," Brian said, and he told the council a working target was "somewhere in that $100,000 to $150,000 range." He said the account had previously been used to cover EPA fines and that staff proposes an initial $75,000 replenishment.

Staff also outlined $420,000 in street-department capital requests, listing priority equipment (a knuckle-boom mower estimated at about $150,000, a new dump truck that would replace two older trucks, and pickup/plow replacements). For sanitation, Brian said the city has budgeted $450,000 for a garbage truck to maintain a staggered replacement cycle and avoid single-day route failures; he also described a potential compactor truck for recycling that would require new receptacles and could reduce labor and dump costs.

On recycling, staff said the city currently pays roughly $10,000 per month to dump recyclables and is considering whether to add a modest per-household fee ("$1 a month, $2 a month") to offset those costs, a proposal some council members said merits further discussion with the finance committee.

Smaller operating adjustments discussed included increases to maintenance and electric budgets for city-owned facilities, an anticipated $15,000 rise in donation revenue earmarked for park benches and similar items, and modest increases for pool maintenance and chemicals; staff said the pool will likely need repainting in the coming year and that outside funding (including possible CERC support) is being pursued.

Councilmembers asked staff to correct a few calculation errors in the presenter’s summary sheets and to circulate updated spreadsheets. No formal budget votes were taken at the workshop; staff said the next steps include finalizing corrections, reviewing revenues at a future workshop and continuing departmental discussions on proposed fees and capital timing.

The council adjourned the workshop after the presentations; the revenue review and hotel-motel tax discussion will be scheduled at a subsequent meeting.