Coconut Creek lays out $344 million 10‑year capital plan, advances Main Street and civic projects

The City Commission of Coconut Creek received an overview of the fiscal year 2026 budget process on March 11, with staff presenting a draft 10‑year capital improvement program that projects $344,000,000 in capital needs over the next decade and identified near‑term projects for FY2026.

City Manager Rose told the commission this workshop is "the very first step that we're taking in the budget preparation process" and described it as a high‑level opportunity for commissioners to weigh in before staff prepares department budgets. Veronica, a staff member leading the budget schedule, outlined the calendar: departments submit requests in March–April; a town‑hall budget meeting is scheduled for April 22 at 6 p.m.; a proposed budget will be finalized in July; and public hearings are planned in September ahead of the October fiscal year start.

Peter Gay, a staff member who described the capital project list, said the 10‑year CIP totals $344,000,000 and that roughly $249,000,000 of that total would be funded through the general fund. Major items carried into FY2026 or identified for near term action include Fire Station 113 (construction funding request of approximately $28,000,000 plus $2,000,000 for removal of the temporary station), police department improvements (design funding of $850,000 requested in FY2026), a redundant fiber‑optic ring (estimated $1,500,000), a Main Street Civic Space and parking garage (planning and design work continuing), a $2,000,000 recreation complex renovation, and a roughly $1,000,000 government center courtyard and parking lot renovation.

Staff said design procurement for Fire Station 113 will come before the commission as an RFP item on May 8, with construction currently projected to begin in March 2027. On Main Street, staff noted city‑owned parcels are part of ongoing land‑swap discussions with a developer and said an item related to a community development district (CDD) will come before the commission on April 10; the city has set aside approximately $2,700,000 in FY25 for infrastructure improvements on city parcels in that area.

Veronica said the city's Vision 20/30 strategic plan will continue to guide prioritization and that after the workshop staff will compile all proposed initiatives and return a categorized list to the commission for ranking. She also noted the city will continue to pursue grant opportunities to offset capital costs where appropriate.

Less immediate items mentioned in the CIP presentation included Lakeside Park phase 2 (estimated $11,900,000, presently scheduled later in the 10‑year horizon) and South Creek neighborhood improvements (design slated in FY26, construction in FY28; fully funded by surtax dollars, estimated $15,900,000). Staff said several estimates remain drafts and will be refined during the budget development process.

The commission did not take formal action during the workshop; staff will return with budget documents, more detailed cost estimates and RFP items for formal consideration in future meetings.