Edmond presents $485.34M FY26–27 budget plan and approves EPWA $1.7M transfers; public urges five-year planning

Edmond — Finance Director Kathy Panas presented the proposed FY26–27 budget, describing continued public workshops, a new 2027 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) fund dedicated to street repairs, and assumptions used for the forecast. Panas said the total city budget is $485,340,001, cited a general fund unassigned balance of 8.35%, and noted that Edmond voters approved two temporary sales-tax extensions in November 2025 that together amount to roughly $35,000,000 for general and capital uses.

Panas listed major budget drivers including about $36 million in public-works capital and $17 million in economic-development incentives; she said staff forecast 0% sales-tax growth next year, 4% use-tax growth and 1% growth from other revenues. She also noted union contract settlements for some employees were unresolved and would be reflected as future amendments when finalized.

Human Resources Director Caroline Pierce outlined proposed reorganizations and personnel requests: creation of a "development services" unit merging planning, engineering and building & safety functions; merging the marketing department with Visit Edmond to coordinate downtown tourism; returning the purchasing agent to report to the finance director; a request for 21 new positions (primarily in electric and water) and 9 reclassifications.

During public comment Taylor Wilson urged caution about personnel growth and long-term reserves, cited a number of internal fund balances trending down and asked for five-year projections and a clear strategy to preserve reserves. Wilson also requested clarity on timing for positions already approved and asked staff to present multi-year scenarios.

The council recessed into the Edmond Public Works Authority and approved a budget amendment (Item 6B) transferring approximately $1,700,000 to cover wastewater and water appropriations, right-of-way fees, electrical materials and chemicals, which staff described as internal account shifts and timing adjustments to address unexpected repairs. Chris Knifing, Director of Water Resources, explained the transfers were budget timing corrections and said they did not request use of reserves. The EPWA amendment passed 5–0.