Sylvia Singleton, a planner with the Office of Budget and Policy Analysis, told the County Council Committee of the Whole on May 5 that the proposed FY26–31 capital improvement program (CIP) totals nearly $4.1 billion in project costs and that the Office of Central Services (OCS) will oversee $1.3 billion of that work.

The fiscal-year-26 proposed CIP expenditure budget for OCS is $54,600,000, Singleton said, and the FY26–31 period includes 53 OCS projects. "The proposed fiscal year 26 to 31 capital improvement program consists of various projects totaling nearly $4,100,000,000," she said. She told the committee that total program revenues are lower than expenditures in the plan because the county will use accumulated prior-year funding to cover the difference.

The presentation said OCS will manage major renovation, replacement or new construction of fire and EMS stations beginning in FY26; OCS has overseen capital budgets for itself, the police department and the Department of Corrections since FY24. Most fire and EMS projects are expected to be managed by OCS in FY26, the presentation said, and project costs have increased overall because of higher inflation and revised cost estimates.

OCS and budget staff highlighted several individual projects. The County Administration Building refresh will continue to update HVAC, plumbing, fire systems, windows and roofing systems. The county building renovation project includes an additional $2,700,000 for animal shelter renovations, and staff said work is expected to begin in FY26 if funding is approved.

On specifics, a county presenter said the animal shelter upgrades under consideration include new flooring, replacement of a drainage pipe, and potential construction of outdoor play areas. "When that facility was designed, something a bit awkward [occurred] with how fecal matter drained from the kennels into a certain grinder. We're taking another look at that to try and make that a bit more efficient and effective," a county presenter said. Director Butler told the committee the work would begin in FY26: "It will begin in FY26."

Singleton also said two projects were deleted from the OCS list because they are complete (the Covington Athletic Complex and the Shady Glen Fire EMS Station), and two projects showed decreases in total cost (detention center housing renovations and Oxon Hill Fire EMS Station). The presentation noted schedule delays for the Community Corrections Complex and Oxon Hill Fire EMS Station and directed members to the CIP proposed budget book for full project-level descriptions and schedules.

Council members asked follow-up questions about projects led by other entities, including a stadium-area project the county is coordinating on but not leading. Councilor Bridal thanked staff for completion of the Bladensburg library under budget, and Council member Watson asked for greater detail about the $2,750,000 in animal shelter funding. Staff said a DOE representative compiled an upgrade list that will need prioritization and that OCS will coordinate cost estimates with that office.

The presentation provided general schedule and funding context but did not include formal committee votes on any of the projects during the session.

The county's full CIP proposed budget book contains project-level schedules, cost breakdowns and additional notes referenced by staff during the briefing.