Board weighs long-range capital plan, bond scenarios and police station timing

City staff and aldermen used the April 22 budget workshop to walk through a multi-year capital plan that includes bond-funded road projects, a police station project and a sequence of facility remodels and build-outs.

Bruce, a city staff member, reviewed the bond scenarios and tax implications. He told the board that a $25 million bond estimated to produce a bond-payment amount of $1,875,000 would translate to "just over 11¢" on the tax rate to cover that payment. He said a larger $68 million package — which would include two years of road projects plus a police station — corresponded to a roughly 30¢ tax-rate increase. Bruce added the city was not proposing an increase at this time; the figures were presented for planning purposes.

Board members emphasized the workshop’s informational role and were reminded that no formal deliberation or votes would occur at this meeting. Danielle, a city staff member, reiterated the limitation: board members could "talk about it," she said, but they could not deliberate toward a decision during the workshop.

On facilities and timing, staff outlined a sequence of projects and estimated costs: a $750,000 City Hall remodel line for Police Department expansion (bathrooms and limited build-out) and a $2,000,000 estimate for build-out of the vacant area at the public works/community development facility. The preliminary police-station budget included $3,000,000 for engineering and architecture in an early fiscal year and then approximately $20,000,000 per year in subsequent construction years in the staff plan.

The police chief said the department could continue operating in its current space during phased renovations but estimated that a full remodel and move would take time; staff estimated a roughly 15–18 month timeframe to prepare and relocate for some remodel scenarios and 6–12 months for limited renovations, depending on scope.

Fire-station projects and a proposed public safety training facility appeared in the long-range plan; staff said those items have been pushed into later fiscal years for financial reasons and could move earlier if revenue improves. Staff and the chiefs discussed using existing city property for a combined training facility that could include a range and multi-agency training space — but no site or funding commitment was made at the workshop.

Aldermen asked whether incremental tax increases — for example smaller annual raises spread across multiple years — would be a preferred approach versus a one-time large increase. Staff responded that if the board chooses incremental increases they should be targeted to one-time capital costs (vehicles, apparatus, bond payments) rather than recurring expenses such as additional staff, which would create ongoing budget pressures.

No motions or votes were taken; staff will bring refined cost estimates and architect recommendations back to a future meeting for formal consideration.