Commission reviews $77.8M capital requests; staff recommends $54M of FY26 funding with IT and some park projects prioritized

City of Coral Gables finance and capital staff walked the commission through the FY26 five-year capital improvement plan, explaining which projects staff recommended funding this year and which would be deferred because recurring capital dollars have declined.

Assistant Finance Director Paula Rodriguez summarized the funding picture: staff proposed about $54 million in funded FY26 capital requests out of roughly $77.8 million requested. She told commissioners the FY26 general capital package depends on a mix of recurring general fund transfers, prior-year fund balance, interest income treated as one-time revenue, TDR proceeds restricted to historic facilities, parking-fund transfers and enterprise funds for utilities.

What staff proposes to fund: staff recommended fully funding the IT renewal-and-replacement matrices (network infrastructure, cybersecurity and enterprise software) and the renewal matrices for parks, fleet replacement and public-safety equipment. Rodriguez said, “we are fully funding the IT matrices,” and identified $2.7 million requested for network IT infrastructure as part of that program.

Priority projects and targeted allocations: staff recommended $6 million recurring toward the City Hall plan and an initial allocation toward Venetian Pool. The presentation proposed using Transfer-of-Development-Right (TDR) proceeds restricted to historic facilities to support Venetian Pool work, and directing approximately $6 million a year into the FY26 priority list begun in FY23.

Utilities and recurring programs: utility funds (stormwater and sanitary sewer) were listed as largely self-funded by user fees; staff recommended fully funding the utility matrices, including a $5.2 million force-main replacement allocation.

Sidewalks, bridges and public-safety facilities: staff proposed $2 million for sidewalk repair and replacement (funded from roadway and general capital), $750,000 for new sidewalk installations (impact fees plus roadway funds), $325,000 for bridge repairs and an allocation toward emergency generator design for the country club and youth center.

Parks and one-time projects: staff funded several park improvements (Coral Gables Country Club improvements, Granada Golf Course shelters, park enhancements at William and Leona Cooper and Blue Road phases) but left other park design requests (San Sebastian, Coral Bay) to later years. A $1.3 million request for permanent pickleball courts at Salvador Park was recommended for funding.

Unfunded items and risks: staff noted many items remain unfunded (roughly $23.8M of the $77.8M request) and cautioned that much of the FY26 funding depends on one-time interest income and prior-year balances; when those funds are spent they will not recur. Staff recommended the commission maintain the current millage assumption when considering the FY26 capital package.

Next steps: staff will include the recommended FY26 capital allocations in the July 1 budget estimate, circulate detailed project spreadsheets to commissioners, and return with the tentative millage recommendation July 2; the adopted budget process continues with September hearings.