City Manager Felicia Donnelly presented the City of Oldsmar’s proposed five‑year capital improvement program on May 29, 2025, saying the plan “reflects a tremendous effort of cross‑departmental coordination” and shows roughly $33,027,000 in proposed investment through fiscal 2030.

The CIP lists projects across utilities, streets, facilities, parks and public safety and ties each item to council priorities such as maintaining existing infrastructure, establishing a downtown corridor and enhancing roadway safety. Donnelly told the council the document is “not only a roadmap for the projects that we intend to fund and build, but a tool to support sound financial decisions, community engagement and progress towards the council's priorities.”

Why it matters: the CIP sets the city’s multiyear spending priorities and signals which projects staff will pursue with local funds, Penny for Pinellas revenues, impact fees and federal or state grants. Donnelly and Cindy Nenno, director of administrative services, said the city will update the CIP annually to reflect funding availability and project readiness.

Key facts: the plan shows roughly $14.47 million programmed for fiscal 2026 and a five‑year total of about $33.03 million. Major funding sources listed include local ad valorem and utility revenues, the county’s Penny for Pinellas sales surtax, enterprise (water/sewer/stormwater) funds, impact fees, and state and federal grants. Donnelly emphasized that some large projects remain listed as unfunded until matching or grant dollars are identified.

Council and staff discussion focused on cost estimating and the practical limits of local revenue. Daniel Simpson, director of public works, explained cost estimating methods and said staff typically adds a 10% contingency and an uncertainty factor tied to scope and schedule. Simpson noted current market conditions — supply‑chain disruption, tariffs and increased construction funding — are driving higher bids and larger contingencies.

Public comment: resident Tom O’Shea told the council he supported items in the CIP, including a proposed city hall/EOC design, but raised concern that Douglas Road had been moved to the unfunded list. He said he would accept a property tax increase to fund needed projects.

What’s next: staff will continue to pursue grant funding, refine cost estimates and return to council with updates and budget decisions. Donnelly said staff will present operating budget work sessions in August that include related funding decisions.