Capital Improvement Projects are those projects resulting in the repair or construction of new infrastructure facilities throughout the City.  These projects include such items as streets, sanitation and storm sewers, ADA accessibility, safe routes to schools, pedestrian and bicycle access, traffic signage, and recreational facilities.  The projects are financed through the City’s Capital Improvement Fund.  As you can see in the graphic, there are three main sources of funding for these projects. The External Funding generally comes from state and federal grants and taxes.  The CIP Funding source is from local City taxes and fees. The Sewer Fees are a result of the fees levied by the City on the use of the sewer system.
Several years ago, it became obvious that critical Capital Improvement Projects were being identified and included in the budget process, yet few of these projects were actually getting done. In fact, Capital Improvement Projects were being given a low priority and succumbed to the higher priority of doing the day-to-day work necessary to keep the City running.  At the start of the 2009-2010 fiscal year, for example, there were 84 projects that had been funded but not completed!

To correct the situation, the City Council and Staff established a detailed plan defining start dates and primary staff responsibility for all Capital Improvement Projects.  One cannot help but notice the positive impact that this plan has had. As of the end of the third quarter of the 2010-2011 fiscal year, 52 projects had been completed, and numerous others were underway.  Some of these completed projects had been included in the budgeting process from as far back as 2006.  Additional major projects that have been funded and are scheduled for completion during this calendar year include:

• First Street upgrade and utility undergrounding
• Homestead Road safety improvements
• Collector street traffic calming
• Rosita Park upgrade and tennis courts
• Numerous sewer upgrade and repair projects