What is the Capital Improvements Program (CIP)?

The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is the City's long-range planning document for major capital investments. It serves as a five-year roadmap for the construction, rehabilitation, replacement, and improvement of public infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and other capital assets that support the City's Strategic Plan and long-term service objectives.

The CIP provides a framework for evaluating capital needs, establishing project priorities, identifying funding sources, and coordinating the timing of improvements. By integrating long-term planning with financial forecasting and the annual budget process, the CIP helps ensure that limited resources are invested responsibly while maintaining and enhancing the City's infrastructure and public services.

Purpose and Function

The CIP is updated annually to reflect changing community needs, project priorities, funding availability, and economic conditions. While the CIP covers a five-year planning horizon, it serves as a planning document and does not authorize expenditures. Funding is formally appropriated through the adoption of the City's annual operating and capital budget.

Projects identified in the first year of the CIP are considered for inclusion in the upcoming fiscal year's budget. Projects planned for future years are reviewed, updated and reprioritized annually to ensure they remain consistent with the City's Strategic Plan, financial capacity and operational needs.

The CIP adopted by the City Council represents the City's current plan for anticipated capital investments. As priorities, funding or project schedules change, the CIP may be amended by the City Council to reflect those changes and ensure that the program remains responsive to community needs and available resources.

Benefits of the CIP

The Capital Improvement Program helps the City:

  • Align capital investments with the City's Strategic Plan and long-term goals.
  • Maintain and improve public infrastructure and municipal facilities.
  • Coordinate project timing and funding across departments.
  • Improve long-range financial planning and debt management.
  • Identify and pursue grant opportunities and other external funding sources.
  • Provide transparency regarding planned capital investments.
  • Support informed decision-making by City leadership and the community.