Kingfisher city commissioners last Monday approved the operating budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

The budget - just shy of $22.8 million - is $4 million more than that of FY 2024.

Other notables in the passed budget is a beginning fund balance (carryover) of nearly $12.8 million, which is about $1 million more than the previous year.

Estimated revenues are $20.5 million for FY25, about $2 million more than those estimated in FY24.

The bulk of that is an estimated $10.3 million in revenue for Kingfisher Public Works Authority.

That’s $1 million more than what was estimated for FY24.

City Manager Jim Thomas said the increase is anticipated due to the recent rate increases that were approved for utility rates.

Thomas laid out 12 major capital improvement projects the city will be focused on in FY25, which he said is the primary reason for the expanded operating budget.

The largest of those projects - at least as far as cost - is the widening projects on two city streets - Will Rogers Drive and Starlite Drive - beginning at 13th Street and going west.

The first phase will be Will Rogers Drive and is expected to begin soon in order to ensure its finish before school starts back.

Both projects are expected to be done by the end of summer and, combined, will cost about $1.1 million, which was the low bid submitted by Atlas Paving. However, the city will only have to pay just over one-fourth of that cost.

Much of the cost – $750,000 – is covered by a Municipal Road Drilling Activity Fund grant.

The program for that grant was set up by HB3037 of the 2022 legislative session and is run through the Local Government Division of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

The fund was set up to help cities with populations under 15,000 whose roads have been damaged by oilfield activities.

The rough patches in Kingfisher Park will also be getting a makeover.

Partial road resurfacing to fix the damaged areas is expected to cost about $400,000.

The city also plans to invest another $100,000 in miscellaneous road repairs as well as stripping/painting of streets.

Another big chunk is the payment of $700,000 to BRW Architects out of Dallas.

That firm has been tasked with several aspects of the design and services leading up to the construction of the new fire station.

Ray Holliday represented the firm at last week’s meeting and told commissioners the plan is to be ready to put the project out to bid in January 2025.

Some $300,000 will be dedicated to building new restrooms and concession area near the soccer fields at Briscoe Park and to renovate similar facilities near the softball and baseball fields.

Following are some of the major projects planned in the next fiscal year and their approximate costs:

• Engineering study for storm water issues, $125,000;

• Water tower cleaning inside and out, $430,000;

• Twonewfully-equipped police vehicles, $200,000;

• Prioritizing repairs for city power plant, $400,000;

• Investing in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), $250,000;

• Matching grant for new ambulance, $100,000; and,

• Repairs/replacement of fire hydrants, $50,000.