Arnold Council Weighs Electric Bike Rules, Reviews Major Investments in Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
ARNOLD, Mo. — Arnold city leaders spent Thursday evening looking ahead, first at how the city should respond to the growing use of electric bikes and other motorized mobility devices, then at a proposed fiscal year 2027 budget that includes millions of dollars for roads, stormwater infrastructure, public safety, and other city priorities.
The August 13 work session did not result in a final ordinance on electric bikes or adoption of the budget. Instead, council members provided direction to city staff on both issues before they return for future action.
An Ordinance Written Before Electric Bikes Took Off
The first discussion centered on Arnold’s existing ordinance governing motorized recreational vehicles, which city officials said dates back to approximately 2005.
Chief Carroll told the council that the ordinance was written largely around vehicles powered by gasoline and does not adequately address the growing number of electric bikes, electric mini bikes, and other battery powered devices now appearing on city streets.
“This ordinance is very dated,” Carroll said. “It only includes devices that have a gas motor. It doesn’t include the newer technology now with these electric devices.”
Carroll said the city has received a number of complaints involving the devices, particularly small Razor style bikes and pocket motorbikes being operated by juveniles.
He said he had also checked into whether Arnold had experienced accidents involving the devices and was not aware of any reported incidents to date.
Still, council members repeatedly raised concerns about speed, visibility, young riders, and conflicts between motorized devices, vehicles, and pedestrians.
Rather than beginning from scratch, Carroll presented regulations used by the City of Wentzville as a possible starting point. He described that approach as more of a middle ground between communities with very restrictive rules and those allowing broader use.
Carroll emphasized that he was not recommending Arnold copy another city’s ordinance word for word.
The goal, he said, was to give the council something from which to begin determining what makes sense for Arnold.
Sidewalks Become a Major Question
Much of the discussion centered on where different types of electric devices should be allowed.
Several council members drew a distinction between traditional electric bicycles and smaller, faster mini bikes that may look more like motorcycles.
Councilman Matt Saller noted that Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycles can provide a practical transportation option for young people, particularly as some families deal with changes in school transportation.
Saller pointed specifically to students who may need another way to get to school because their families no longer have bus services or because parents leave for work before their children begin the school day.
“I think those kids having the ability to be able to have an option that they can E-bike to school is important,” Saller said, adding that Arnold needs to adapt as electric bicycles become more common.
Others were more cautious about allowing electric bicycles and similar devices on sidewalks.
Troy Blacksher, who represents Ward 1, described walking along Jeffco Boulevard and being caught off guard by bicycles approaching quickly from behind while pedestrians are already watching vehicles entering and leaving nearby driveways.
Another council member raised concerns about very young children riding small motorized bikes through neighborhoods at high speeds, sometimes with little apparent supervision.
The discussion suggested that Arnold’s eventual ordinance may need considerably more detail than the city’s existing rules.
By the end of the discussion, there appeared to be broad agreement that some modernization is necessary, but little appetite for a blanket prohibition on electric bicycles.
Councilman Brad Cary said the city should use the discussion as an opportunity to create clearer categories that reflect how the different types of electric and motorized devices are actually being used.
Cary said he had spoken with Chief Carroll about the issue and suggested breaking the devices into additional tiers, with different rules depending on the type of device and where it is being operated. “So I think breaking that out would actually help,” Cary said. “And I do think that we need a little more guidance than what we’ve had.”
The goal, Cary indicated, would be to give residents and law enforcement clearer guidance while avoiding a single set of rules that treats traditional bicycles, electric bikes, mini bikes, and other motorized devices the same.
City staff will now have the opportunity to refine the proposal before bringing an ordinance back to the council.
Council Gets First Look at Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
The council then turned its attention to the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget.
Finance Director Bill Lehmann walked council members through the city’s budget process and some of the major expenditures planned for the coming year.
Arnold’s fiscal year begins September 1 and runs through August 31.
Lehmann explained that department heads begin reviewing their budgets months in advance, with city administrators eventually going through proposed expenses line by line.
He estimated that roughly 70 percent of the budget represents normal operating expenses. Much of the discussion therefore focuses on the remaining portion of the budget and which major projects or additional requests the city can afford.
Not every department request makes the initial budget.
Lehmann said the city can revisit some of those items during a midyear budget adjustment if revenues and expenses come in differently than projected.
“It’s a fluid process,” Lehmann told the council. “It’s a large operation running a city.”
Four Major Funds Finish Net Positive
The proposed budget projects a combined $783,920 in net revenue over expenses across Arnold’s four primary operating funds.
The General Fund is projected to finish with a $4,567,277 surplus.
The Police Fund is projected to operate at a $1,561,457 deficit, while the Recreation Center Fund is expected to produce a $643,921 surplus.
The Stormwater Fund is projected to operate at a $2,865,821 deficit, largely because of significant infrastructure work planned during the year.
Taken together, those four funds remain approximately $784,000 in the positive.
Lehmann told council members the challenge is finding the appropriate balance between maintaining strong finances and putting taxpayer money back to work in the community.
“You have to be fiscally responsible,” Lehmann said. “But you also want to spend the money as appropriate to support the needs of the community.”
Roads, Pomme Road, and Stormwater Among Major Investments
Several major infrastructure projects appear in the proposed budget.
The city has budgeted $1.75 million for street overlays, including concrete and asphalt work throughout Arnold.
The proposed budget also includes $1.5 million for construction on Pomme Road Phase 1, along with $200,000 in initial funding for Phase 2.
Another $300,000 is listed for advanced engineering on Pomme Road Phase 2.
St. Johns Church Road is allocated $60,000 for right of way acquisition and another $40,000 for design planning.
The city is also planning $191,250 for road construction associated with Little Muddy Creek.
One of the largest individual infrastructure expenses is $2.3 million for major Muddy Creek stormwater improvements.
Stormwater remains one of the more difficult portions of Arnold’s budget because the system is supported primarily through fees while major repairs can cost millions of dollars.
Lehmann said aging infrastructure has resulted in substantial project costs, sometimes requiring support from the General Fund.
Outside Money Helps Offset City Costs
Arnold also expects to use several outside funding sources to reduce the amount required from local municipal funds.
The budget anticipates approximately $3.8 million in Jefferson County capital improvement reimbursements.
Another $884,800 in state grant funding is included in the budget, along with $184,800 from the Federal Railroad Administration.
The federal money is connected to planning involving railroad crossings in Arnold.
The city has budgeted approximately $231,000 for a railroad crossing elimination study, including planning associated with the Jeffco overpass bridge. Officials said the work could ultimately improve traffic flow, pedestrian access, and safety while positioning Arnold for additional grant opportunities.
City officials said grant reimbursements generally require Arnold to spend eligible funds first and seek reimbursement afterward, making management of project timing and cash flow important.
New Public Information Position Proposed
The budget also contains $105,000 for a partial year Public Information Officer position.
Lehmann said the position would help the city communicate timely information to residents, maintain activity on social media, and work with members of the press.
“There is a lot of moving parts in the city,” Lehmann said while explaining the need for additional communication capacity.
The amount included in the budget does not represent a finalized salary for an individual employee. City officials said the hiring process has not yet begun and compensation would depend on the qualifications of the person ultimately selected.
City Plans Changes to IT Operations
Another notable proposal is $140,000 for an annual contract with GoInet as Arnold moves from its current in house IT structure toward outside management.
City administrators said the decision followed a complete audit of the city’s technology systems, with security serving as a major consideration.
Officials described portions of the existing setup as outdated and said Arnold currently maintains an internal IT operation while also paying several outside vendors for specialized services such as firewalls and telephone systems.
By consolidating those functions, administrators said they expect both improved security and lower overall costs.
During the discussion, city officials estimated approximately $100,000 in savings during the coming year, with potentially greater savings as additional contracts are consolidated.
Police Vehicles, Pool Improvements, and New Entrance Signs
The proposed budget includes several other visible investments.
Arnold has budgeted $391,500 for five fully outfitted police vehicles as part of its ongoing vehicle replacement program.
The Recreation Center would receive $60,000 for the first major restoration of its original pool slide.
Another $50,000 is proposed for new city entrance signs, which officials said would be used to improve Arnold’s local branding.
Those projects join the larger road, stormwater, and public safety investments that will shape much of the city’s capital work during the coming fiscal year.
More Decisions Still Ahead
Thursday’s meeting was a work session, meaning the discussions provided direction but did not represent final approval of either the electric mobility ordinance or the fiscal year 2027 budget.
The electric bike issue will return after city staff works through the distinctions between traditional bicycles, electric bicycles, mini bikes, motorized personal mobility devices, sidewalks, streets, parks, and other public spaces.
The budget will also return to the council for formal consideration before the new fiscal year begins September 1.
For city leaders, both discussions revolved around a similar challenge: updating Arnold’s policies and infrastructure to meet changing needs without losing sight of safety, cost, and the everyday impact on residents.