What is the Capital Improvements Plan?
The Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) is a planning document. It lists many projects that the City desires to accomplish, generally over a five-year period. The CIP includes new construction or renovations to existing school buildings and other City structures, major street, bridge and sewer repair projects, and upgrades to existing park facilities or new park structures. The CIP is a dynamic instrument that may change from year to year as infrastructure needs in the City are identified. Basically, the preparation, approval and financing process for the CIP are (1) development of a CIP by the City Manager and staff, (2) City Council approval of a CIP after public hearings, (3) City Council approval of a CIP funding source, which is usually a Bond Authorization (after a public hearing), (4) an appropriation of funds to the project, and (5) award of a construction contract for the project to be built. These elements are explained further below. First, the City prepares the multi-year plann
