Budget review commission flags capital cost overruns, urges feasibility study for Rio Verde wildlife crossing

The Budget Review Commission delivered a wide‑ranging report to the Scottsdale City Council that urged tighter capital project controls, recommended routine fiscal reporting and recommended a feasibility study before committing significant funding to a proposed wildlife crossing on Rio Verde Drive.

At a work‑study presentation, commission chair David Smith framed the group’s work as advisory: “on every one of these topics we’re saying we offer this for your consideration,” he said, stressing that the commission’s intent was to identify issues for council review rather than bind council decisions.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the city’s capital program has grown significantly in recent years and a number of large projects had notable budget or scope uncertainty. Commissioners recommended clearer project scoping and cost estimation, more robust internal review for high‑risk projects and regular reporting of fund balances to council so elected officials can see emerging fiscal exposures sooner.

Capital projects and project controls: Commissioners identified several projects they flagged for further scrutiny. Mark Stevens and Brad Newman — who led subcommittee reviews of capital projects — told council they looked at projects that exceeded…