Council discusses FY2027 budget priorities as wastewater plant waits on parts

City Administrator Gilbert presented the proposed FY2027 budget and highlighted priorities including completing the wastewater treatment plant, playground improvements and targeted water-infrastructure upgrades.

Gilbert said the wastewater project is making progress but is delayed by a missing MCC/MTS component, estimating about a two-month wait for parts. He said the city has already purchased a generator and automatic transfer switch but cannot connect them until the MCC is installed. Gilbert also described previous COVID-relief funds that were used and noted the city must complete state reporting and receive clearance before spending newly received funds.

On the water side, staff discussed a water-main engineering estimate for a canal crossing "close to 1,000,000 dollars" and the need to plan a five-year program for replacements. Council budgeted $40,000 for EMS stairs replacement and discussed adding small water projects from an existing $150,000 allocation. Gilbert described exploring grants to replace older mechanical meters with newer sonar-based meters that communicate by cellular service and have long-life batteries; staff noted the city has already done a prerun of one vendor's equipment.

Council and staff also discussed beach maintenance — staff said the GLO (General Land Office) will help with equipment rental and the city is budgeting up to $11,000 a year to rent equipment to smooth the beach. Multiple council members asked staff to bring more detailed cost estimates and to engage the park board for design of playground cover projects.