In a recent government meeting, Miss Jessica Stratton presented an overview of the draft Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the years 2025 to 2030, emphasizing its role as a crucial tool for implementing the city's comprehensive plan. The CIP is developed annually as part of the biennium budget process and is required by the state's Growth Management Act.

Stratton explained that the CIP prioritizes capital projects, detailing funding sources, project statuses, and timelines. To qualify for inclusion in the CIP, projects must be tangible assets with a useful life of at least five years and a cost exceeding $60,000. The program is updated yearly, with the first two years incorporated into the biennium budget.

The meeting highlighted the significant impact of inflation on the CIP, noting that costs have more than doubled over the past five years, despite a relatively stable number of projects. Public Works accounts for approximately 80% of the CIP, reflecting the city's focus on infrastructure improvements.

Funding for the CIP primarily comes from current revenue, reserves, grants, and debt. Stratton pointed out that 30% of the identified capital projects remain unfunded, with many relying on the general fund, particularly for police and fire services. Examples of unfunded needs include significant repairs to city facilities and the implementation of a citywide Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

The draft CIP has been publicly available since August 29, comprising 634 pages and detailing around 470 projects. The council is set to conduct the first reading of the CIP ordinance on Monday, followed by a public hearing on November 4, where the final adoption will take place. This process underscores the city's commitment to transparency and community involvement in shaping its capital investment priorities.