Minot City Council outlines $955M five-year capital improvement plan

The Minot City Council meeting on May 5, 2025, focused on the city's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the upcoming five years, which totals approximately $955.2 million. This comprehensive plan outlines funding sources and project allocations, primarily relying on federal and state funds, along with sales tax revenue, which together account for nearly two-thirds of the funding.

During the meeting, officials discussed the importance of maintaining consistent funding levels each year to facilitate effective budgeting. However, the flood control project, which constitutes about 60% of the total CIP, will significantly influence the city's financial planning.

Key updates included a revised approach to the police station project, which will now focus on an on-site remodel of the existing facility rather than any expansions. This decision aims to streamline costs while addressing necessary upgrades, such as replacing outdated systems and making minor structural changes.

Additionally, the council noted that the construction funding for the wastewater treatment plant has been replaced with engineering funding, reflecting a cautious approach as the project is still five years away. The current estimate for this engineering work is based on a preliminary 10% cost projection.

City officials emphasized that while several projects are included in the CIP for planning purposes, not all may receive funding when the time comes to allocate resources. The city currently spends about $15 million annually on infrastructure maintenance, which is separate from the CIP.

The meeting concluded with a call for direction from the council to proceed with project assembly and engineering processes as needed.