NW Valley Times

The Peoria City Council was asked to take a future vision of local needs with a 10-year capital improvement schedule and budget discussed during a recent meeting.

At the May 2 session, city officials considered a planning document for capital improvement projects (CIPs) for fiscal years 2024-33. Deputy Finance Director for Budget & Revenue Peter Christensen gave an overview of the 10-year plan, seeking the council's approval.

"Our council adopted principles of sound financial management and requires that we prepare a financially balanced, multi-year capital improvement program each year, which we have done," Christensen said. "And tonight we're asking for your consideration and approval of the CIP for fiscal years FY2024 through FY2033."

“Updating the 10-year CIP is a significant undertaking that begins each year, really in the summer when staff begins identifying projects, estimating the project costs. And it continues through the fall as we try to financially balance the program and meet with the city manager's office and culminate at this time of year with presentations to the City Council staff in many departments across the city to do their best to ensure not only that the most important capital needs are being met, but also that the scope, cost and timing of all those projects are being coordinated throughout the plan,” Christensen said.

The high-level breakdown of the 10-year CIP plan includes: 28% to water system projects, 24% to streets and traffic control improvements and 21% to wastewater systems. The rest of the budget is dedicated to public safety, parks and recreation, drainage and other operations. One consideration was delaying fire and police station improvements to 2024 or 2025 to allow the council to expand the facilities to better suit public safety needs as well as provide additional project funding.

According to Christensen, the makeup of funding sources for the next 10 years of capital projects "strikes a pretty good balance." The revenue will be comprised of 35% from various bond sources, 24% from utility revenues, 18% from transportation/fuel sales taxes and the remainder from pay-as-you-go or cash fund sources.

Many public comments addressed the CIP plan and the upcoming FY2024 city budget. While numerous residents were happy with the planned improvements, others took issue with the city's priorities. The latter group asked the council to divert funding from continued improvements on city parks and put it towards low-quality infrastructure and redeveloping the underutilized downtown area. 

The disgruntled residents also asked for a higher prioritization of water systems, as water is a precious resource in Arizona. The council ultimately approved the 10-year CIP plan and will vote on its budget during a future meeting, which likely will be held in June.