<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4OpQ9N_1H2YlOWj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4OpQ9N_1H2YlOWj00" width="1139" height="570" ></figure>Major road and sewer projects, new pickleball courts and an outdoor fitness area are among the largest investments in Platte City’s annual budget, approved unanimously by the Board of Aldermen at a recent meeting.The spending plan covers the fiscal year that began Nov. 1 and ends Oct. 31, 2027. It also provides money for a new police support position, replacement vehicles, water meter relocations and an updated city website.Road improvementsThe city budgeted $18 million for Highway 92 work, including $16 million for construction on the eastern portion of the highway, $1 million for design and environmental work and $1 million for right of way and easements.Another $250,000 is set aside for annual street maintenance.The transportation construction fund anticipates $16.3 million in grants and developer contributions, along with a $1.5 million transfer from the city’s transportation sales tax fund.These amounts cover only this fiscal year, not the full cost of the projects.The transportation construction fund is expected to spend $341,000 more than it receives, with savings covering the difference. City Administrator Bryan Richison’s budget report said that shortfall is not a concern because the fund pays for projects and has no ongoing operating expenses.Sewer plant expansionThe budget includes $16 million in the wastewater construction fund for renovation and expansion of the city’s treatment plant.The city anticipates receiving $16 million in loan proceeds through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ State Revolving Fund program to help finance the work.Although wastewater operations are expected to generate substantially more revenue than expenses this year, Richison cautioned in his report that the money will be needed to repay the loan.The city does not yet know the annual payment amount, and most or all of the operating surplus could be needed for that obligation, according to the report.Pickleball courts and outdoor fitnessResidents will see more recreation options under the new budget, with $500,000 planned for pickleball courts and an outdoor fitness area expected to cost $289,050.The city anticipates a $187,500 Platte County parks grant for the courts, leaving the city to cover $312,500.For the fitness area, a $35,000 National Fitness Campaign grant and an anticipated $165,000 county parks grant would reduce the city’s share to $89,050.Four pickleball courts are planned for Harrel Ferrel Park. Richison said he hopes to seek bids this winter and begin construction next spring.“These projects are two of the board’s highest priorities,” Richison told The Landmark in August, referring to the courts and the city’s first dog park.The outdoor fitness area is planned for Rising Star Park, which also has a playground and splash pad. Construction is expected to start in spring.The parks construction fund will also receive a $200,000 transfer from the parks and recreation operating fund to help pay for projects.The construction fund is projected to finish the fiscal year with an available balance of about $79,580, down from a projected $279,530 at the beginning of the year.Police staffing and equipmentThe budget provides $82,000 for a police support specialist position, including a listed salary of $69,000.The budget also includes $23,681 for the first year of a five-year agreement with Axon to replace all police Tasers with the Taser 10 model and upgrade officers’ body cameras. The new cameras will upload recordings to a cloud-based management system instead of a local server.Another $75,000 is budgeted to replace a police vehicle.Other equipment purchases include $55,000 to replace a parks pickup truck, $55,000 to replace a water department pickup with a van.The city is also implementing a new employee pay system with 10 steps for most positions. Employees below the highest step will advance to the next step annually, while those at the top will receive a cost-of-living adjustment, according to the budget report. Senior staff will continue to have salary ranges with minimum and maximum amounts.Water meters and city facilitiesThe budget sets aside $82,500 to move 50 to 60 water meters from inside homes to outdoor locations, roughly half of the indoor meters remaining in town.Richison said indoor meters are harder to read remotely because radio signals must pass through foundations and travel farther from the street. The city has been relocating the meters for several years.The city expects water operating expenses to exceed revenue by about $100,000. Richison said part of the shortfall reflects a change in how employee costs are budgeted, with the water fund covering a greater share of costs for employees who work on the water system.The water fund has enough savings to cover the projected shortfall, according to his report.Other allocations include $20,000 to upgrade the city website and $50,000 to plan the conversion of the former City Hall on Main Street into a small community meeting and event space.Richison said the city plans to hire an architectural or engineering firm to evaluate the building and prepare a design, cost estimates and bid specifications. He hopes to complete that work by summer 2027 so the city can consider funding construction in its 2027-28 budget, which begins Nov. 1, 2027. Construction costs would be additional.Hotel tax spending undecidedThe city expects to collect $100,000 from its hotel and motel tax this fiscal year, with another $1,000 in interest bringing anticipated revenue to $101,000.The tax took effect in November 2025. Revenue goes into the city’s Economic Development and Visitors Activity Fund, which includes $100,000 in planned spending this year.However, that money has not been assigned to specific projects or programs. Richison’s budget report said the spending allocation is available for the mayor and Board of Aldermen to discuss how they want to use it.Cemetery funding poses a challengeThe general fund, which supports police, streets, administration and other basic services, anticipates about $3.32 million in revenue and $3.27 million in spending, leaving a surplus of approximately $51,000.The city-owned cemetery faces a tighter outlook.Its budget includes $43,250 in revenue and $71,494 in expenses, requiring the city to use $28,244 in savings. That would leave an available balance of about $13,330 at the end of the fiscal year.Richison’s report said assigning a larger share of employee costs to the cemetery more accurately reflects the time spent mowing and maintaining the property.The cemetery has enough savings to cover this year’s shortfall, but cannot continue doing so in future years, he wrote. The issue will need to be addressed during the next budget cycle.</div></body>

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Major road and sewer projects, new pickleball courts and an outdoor fitness area are among the largest investments in Platte City’s annual budget, approved unanimously by the Board of Aldermen at a recent meeting. The spending plan covers the fiscal year that began Nov. 1 and ends Oct. 31,...

Platte City sets spending priorities

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Major road and sewer projects, new pickleball courts and an outdoor fitness area are among the largest investments in Platte City’s annual budget, approved

Platte City sets spending priorities

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