Budget retreat: $69 million in capital requests, fitness center bond and Station 53 floated
February 16, 2023, 4:30 p.m. · Fox Hollow Golf Course, 1400 N. 200 East
At a two-day budget workshop on Feb. 16 and 17, staff said departments had requested $69 million in capital projects, including $17 million in infrastructure needs, far beyond available money. Council members discussed a possible November 2024 bond for a fitness center expansion, the need for south-side Fire Station 53 to serve the TOD area, and leaned toward small annual property tax increases rather than large periodic ones.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| FY2023 capital projects and budget status | Discussed |
| FY2024 capital outlook and five-year critical needs | Discussed |
| Property tax direction and FY2024 goals | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Community survey and FY2023 strategic goals
Discussed
About 1,300 survey responses; top issues were poor road quality and too much growth, and most wanted the fitness center upgraded. Goals update: fiber with Strata (design 6-18 months, construction hoped for spring 2024); 200 South easements and financing secured; 30-acre property funds in escrow; PI metering slowed by supply problems; water reuse with TSSD threatened by a legislative bill; code rewrite by July.
Item 2 · Budget
FY2023 capital projects and budget status
Discussed
Station 52 to finish this summer; up to $12 million in road improvements rolled over; 200 South funded; 700 North connection geotech 95% designed; signal materials bought for 620 South 600 East; water line Segment 3 done and Segment 4 out to bid; CDBG Phase 10 funded. Building permit revenue down. Outstanding bonds: PI (2035), Art Dye and cemetery (2028), Station 52 (2038), 36-inch waterline (2041), TOD 200 South (2047); bond rating AA-. PARC awards about $1.7 million in May, including $390,000 in reserves.
Item 3 · Budget
FY2024 capital outlook and five-year critical needs
Discussed
Public Works Director Susan Goebel-Canning outlined $17 million in infrastructure needs (road preservation and reconstruction, water mains and valves, 4 miles of sewer slip lining, storm drains); total requests $69 million. Critical needs: general plan update (land use element from 2005); public works complex land; fitness center plans in 2023-24 with a possible GO bond in November 2024 and construction 2025-26; fiber bonding; 3-4 more south-side parks; and Fire Station 53 on the 30-acre parcel to serve the TOD area, which Chief Aaron Brems said is needed now.
Item 4 · Taxes and fees
Property tax direction and FY2024 goals
Discussed
Montoya presented scenarios: certified rate, pegged rate or a $1-a-month increase. Council felt small increases would be acceptable and suggested raising taxes when a bond retires. FY2024 goals: fiber, facilities master plan (fitness center, Station 53), water reuse, general plan update, a streamlined development process with a single point of contact, downtown revitalization (CRA funding, splash pad, property acquisition) and regular impact fee and rate studies.