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CIB committee outlines 2026 capital plan; council members press for more transparency and equitable ward representation
Summary
Senior budget analyst Michelle Watkowood reviewed the Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) process, funding sources and the 2026 proposal. Council members raised concerns about committee transparency, ward representation and a decision to front-load a five‑year bond program in earlier years.
Michelle Watkowood, senior budget analyst staffing the city's Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) committee, gave the Finance and Budget Committee an overview of how the CIB process works, funding sources and the department-driven proposals that underlie the mayor’s 2026 recommendation.
Watkowood said the citizen advisory CIB committee is an 18-member body appointed by the mayor. The committee reviews department proposals, tentative recommendations and budget amendments, produces a recommendation to the mayor and holds public hearings before sending its advice for inclusion in the mayor’s proposed budget. Watkowood said the committee reviews both department and community-proposed processes in alternating cycles and also evaluates capital maintenance and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project proposals.
Why it matters: CIB funds the city’s infrastructure—streets, parks, libraries and public safety facilities—and the committee’s recommendations influence which projects are prioritized for the mayor and council to adopt.
Funding and schedule details
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