Several weeks ago, LOVE reported that a late night study session on proposed capital improvement projects (CIP) was "laughable". In our opinion, it was a joke for the many reasons noted in that posting. We ask Interim Town Manager Chris Cornelison about it. The following is his explanation of the session:
- - -
Cornelison: Detailed project descriptions will be forthcoming
"Detailed descriptions of all the recommended CIP projects for the next fiscal year (FY 23/24) will be included in the Town Manager’s Recommended Budget [TMRB] once finalized, which will be available once it is published (tentatively April 14). Details will include project title, project budget for the fiscal year, funding sources, project description, justification of the project, and potential operating impact to the Town (if known and identifiable at the time).
We are obviously still in the budget process to finalize the TM Recommended Budget, but I would like to just provide a reminder that typically we do not bring forward the CIP presentation in a Study Session to Town Council until May. As part of the Town Council’s Strategic Plan Workshop this year, however, I proposed to bring forward preliminary projects and associated prioritization to receive input sooner, which is why we had a Study Session item for CIP on March 15 prior to the TM’s Recommended Budget even being finalized. Staff was available from all of our departments that night to answer any detailed questions from Town Council, but unfortunately, other agenda items went longer than anticipated. However, we were able to receive some feedback from Town Council regarding the projects on the list.
Cornelison: Each proposed project will have detail
In regards to process and establishing priorities, it is certainly complex as developing the CIP requires a lot of follow-up questions and discussions with all of our departments. The Town utilizes a Budget Team to receive, review and evaluate CIP requests from all departments. Some aspects considered by the Budget Team when evaluating CIP project requests include its relationship to the Town Council’s adopted Strategic Leadership Plan as well as recent comments at the February Strategic Plan Workshop, impact to operations if the project is not funded and implemented, projected revenues to allow for projects within the CIP, return-on-investment potential of the project, operating budget impact, prior Town Council actions (for example, Parks Bond amenities, rollover projects, etc.), safety, etc."
(Source: email communication)
- - -
