Boise proposes increased capital transfers, draws on facility reserve to fund pools, parks and major repairs
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Summary
Staff told council the FY2026 recommendation boosts the transfer to the capital fund, draws on the city’s facility reserve and identifies specific projects (Whitney Pool, possible Lowell pool funding, Annex Garage, Eighth Street) to address aging assets and rising construction costs.
City staff told the Boise City Council that FY2026 will require increased capital transfers and use of the facilities reserve to address major repairs, rising construction costs and a string of identified projects. The recommendation includes a one‑time capital transfer increase of $2.2 million and assumes some use of the facility reserve carried in the capital fund.
Facility reserve and capital balancing: Alicia explained that the capital fund’s buying power has declined with inflation and that the city has used substantial portions of the facilities reserve to respond to unplanned needs (Union Block remediation, A Street mobility, pool costs and other escalations). She said the proposed capital transfer increase and foregone recovery will help, but that the transfer will effectively exhaust the facilities reserve once planned FY2026 projects are funded given current cost trajectories.
Pools and major projects: Staff provided an update on Whitney Pool and Lowell Pool. Doug and staff said the Whitney Pool project now has a committed construction budget of about $9.5 million and that, if council approves the combined funding package described in the workshop, approximately $10.5 million would remain available for Lowell Pool work; staff cautioned the Lowell project cost remains uncertain without a final design team and scope. Other capital highlights cited for FY2026 include Eighth Street, Alta Harris Park green-up, Liberty Park playground, Whitney Pool, Boise Depot work, Annex Garage seismic/repairs and increased major repairs and maintenance budgets.
Capital plan priorities and tradeoffs: Staff said the FY2026 capital plan gives priority to major repairs and maintenance, equipment replacement (including EV transition), and a smaller set of strategic community assets rather than a broad expansion of new projects. The FY26 recommendation includes several targeted investments and asked the council to consider bonds or levies for large, isolated projects in future years.
Ending: Staff promised a fuller 5‑year capital program package at the June materials release; Council members asked for project-specific cost breakdowns so they could evaluate use of reserves vs. alternative financing.