What is the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and how is it prepared?
The CIP is a six-year program of capital improvements proposed to be undertaken by various city departments. The schedule of CIP projects is initially developed by the individual city departments and then submitted to the Planning Department for compilation into a single document. The Planning Department then works with the Mayor and the Mayor’s Capital Improvements Advisory Committee (CIAC) to prepare a draft CIP document that is submitted to the Planning Commission for a public hearing and review. The Planning Commission’s role in this process is to consider if the proposed projects conform to the goals and programs contained in the adopted Comprehensive Plan. Following a hearing and action by the Planning Commission, the draft CIP (including possible updates by the Mayor) is then submitted to the City Council as part of the budgeting process. The full six-year CIP document is never actually adopted or approved by the Council. A one-year capital budget is derived from the first year
