Alexandria staff present $2.08 billion, 10-year capital plan; say no net new long-term borrowing

City staff presented the city manager's proposed fiscal 2026'2035 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at a budget work session, describing a 10-year program totaling $2,080,000,000 and a year-1 capital budget of $205,900,000.

The presentation, led by Arthur Wicks of the Office of Management and Budget, told council the plan continues previously approved projects, emphasizes state of good repair and school capital commitments, and was constructed without a net new increase in long-term borrowing over the 10-year horizon. Wicks said, "We are continuing to execute on our approved plan," and that the proposed CIP is "consistent with our long term borrowing plan" from the prior CIP.

Why this matters: the CIP's mix of cash and debt and its effect on the operating budget are central to the council's decisions. Staff said 46% of the 10-year program will be paid with cash sources, a ratio municipal finance professionals often call healthy; general-fund support (cash capital plus debt service) for fiscal 2026 was presented at about $133 million, or roughly 14%…