Commission adopts five‑year capital improvements schedule; fire station, resurfacing and library expansion highlighted

The City Commission on Aug. 21 adopted ordinance 25‑26, updating the five‑year capital improvement schedule of the comprehensive plan as required by Florida Statute 163.3177(3)(b). City finance staff summarized the plan and highlighted major projects in the five‑year horizon.

Staff told the commission the CIP lists capital needs (projects over $25,000 with a useful life over a year) and that the most immediate, highest‑dollar items in the plan include: construction of a future Fire Station No. 3, the annual street resurfacing program, a proposed library expansion, two fire apparatus purchases, a ground‑storage water tank, and building improvements across city facilities. Staff also noted that debt service tied to utility bonds represents a large portion of long‑term payments in the CIP.

Staff emphasized the CIP is a planning and cash‑flow tool; only the first fiscal year of the CIP becomes binding in the budget. The commission had no public opposition and approved the ordinance by unanimous roll‑call vote: Lee — Aye; Azbate — Aye; Ashcraft — Aye; Holland — Aye; Hawkins — Aye.

Why this matters: the five‑year CIP guides scheduling and funding of major capital projects, directs borrowing and influences operating budgets; it feeds into the annual budget process the commission will adopt later this year.