The City Council is working on how to fund about $40 million in capital improvement needs over the next five years. That’s in addition to our $12 million annual budget to pay for day-to-day operations. To put these costs in perspective, the City collected $2.3 million in property taxes last year.
Some of the 25 capital projects we’re looking at are the result of growth. So, about $12 million of the total will come from impact fees—money collected from new residential and commercial developments. These fees are used to pay for growth-related needs, like expanded roads or new water lines.
But most of the projects aren’t just about growth. They’re about replacing old infrastructure, upgrading outdated systems, and improving our city. These are necessary improvements, not optional upgrades.
We have money set aside in a capital projects account specifically for these types of needs. We also set aside money every month from everyone’s utility bill payments for replacing old water, sewer, and storm drain lines. And city staff has been successful at getting grants, so hopefully that continues.
We have narrowed down the list to things we need, it’s not a wish list. It includes replacing an ambulance, spending $1 million for a new ladder truck paid for from impact fees from new residential and commercial development, and $750,000 to fix problems and make improvements to our animal shelter that was spearheaded by city council members Sharon Barton and Sharon Gillespie.
It also includes more expensive projects, including up to $16 million for two new parks including the planned Arrowhead Trail Park south of Hwy 91, $9 million for water, sewer, and storm drain projects, almost $6 million for road improvements, and $7 million for a new public works yard (impact fees from new development should pay for close to 40%). Will we have enough to fund all these projects? It depends. Stay tuned and email me if you want more details.
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