Public Works general manager Cleon Cawley told council that an approved FY27 budget roughly $7 million below requests forced unfunding of positions and overtime reductions that will slow maintenance, strain frontline crews and could increase future capital costs.

Public Works GM Cleon Collie told the council the department will not fill 33 positions and recommended a 5% sewer consumption rate adjustment to balance sewer‑fund pressures; he highlighted the Christina River Force Main Phase 1 and a reduced $75.7M capital program weighted toward sewer and stormwater.

Public Works reported it filled 89 positions since January 2025, with external hires improving racial and gender representation; the department now counts about 59 vacancies and said a hiring pause will slow progress as it enters the budget season.

Officials briefed the committee on a two-phase Richardson Park pump station replacement serving about 30,000 sewer customers; phase 2 (above-grade work) is estimated at about $17 million and staff said the county may seek a $17.7 million loan to include contingency.