City staff walked the Soda Springs City Council through the draft fiscal-year capital improvement plan and a series of budget spreadsheets outlining projected funds balances, enterprise transfers and department budget requests.

The staff summary showed a long list of proposed capital projects across funds and highlighted a group of large water projects that together would require substantial funding: transmission improvements, pressure‑reducing valve (PRV) work, and an additional water tank among others. Staff estimated that, if all large projects move forward without external grant funding, water projects could total roughly $19 million (figure shown in staff summary as an approximation and dependent on grant awards and prioritization).

The budget spreadsheets also included salary and benefits projections. Staff presented a salary/benefit worksheet that shows payroll and associated benefits are a substantial portion of the city budget; the presentation noted wages, overtime and benefits together represent a large share of annual expenditures.

Staff asked councilmembers to review an electronic workbook with detailed tabs for water, sewer, power, streets and general fund items and to provide feedback on priorities. The staff presenter said the workbook assumes a working set of fund balances and included placeholders for grant awards the city may pursue; managers cautioned that major capital projects may require grant wins or bonding to avoid depleting reserves.

Council and staff discussed scheduling for the budget process and agreed to further budget work sessions in June and July to finalize a tentative budget. Staff emphasized that some major projects will require grant pursuit or separate capital financing decisions.

Next steps: councilmembers were asked to review the budget workbook prior to the next meeting, identify items for prioritization or removal, and return with comments; staff will refine cost estimates and present a formal tentative budget and capital plan at a future meeting.