Title
To discuss and consider a recommendation to the City Council on the 5-year Capital Improvement Plan for FY 2016-2020
Summary
Per the City Charter and the Code of Ordinances, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall annually submit a 5-year Capital Improvement Plan to the City Council and City Manager, at least 120 days before the beginning of the budget year. The plan must list projects in order of preference with a recommendation for the year of construction for each project.
There are different funding mechanisms for capital improvement projects; two of which are Certificates of Obligation (CO) and General Obligation (GO) bonds. A Certificate of Obligation (CO) is a bond secured by property tax in which does not require voter approval. Unlike a CO, a General Obligation (GO) bond is required to be approved by the voters, and the debt service typically placed on top of the tax rate. Historically, the City has used Certificates of Obligation (CO’s) to fund roadway, drainage, sidewalk and park projects while the debt service is absorbed through the tax rate. Utility projects are typically funded by the Utility Fund, capital recovery fees (impact fees from new development) and CO’s. Utility CO’s are funded through utility revenue guaranteed by the tax rate.
In past years, the City issued CO’s for the construction of roadways. While the current roadway projects are being funded in part by past CO issuances, staff recommends most future roadway CIP projects to be funded by GO bonds. The Utility Fund has multiple funding sources such as impact fees and CO’s that can be used for utility purposes.
Staff Recommendation
Regarding roadways, staff recommends that the development of a bond program for the listed GO Bond roadway projects referenced in Table 1. Funding for projects listed in Table 2 can originate from CO’s or GO’s, grant funding, economic development agreements and other general fund sources. City staff have listed the roadway projects in T...
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