Staunton staff preview $75 million five-year CIP; water, sewer and public safety projects highlighted

City staff on Feb. 27 presented a proposed FY2026 five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) for Staunton that totals roughly $75 million across funds and introduces new reserves for affordable housing, police relocation and ongoing equipment replacement programs.

Jesse Moyers, the city's chief finance officer, described a retooled CIP format with project sheets and photos, and said the five-year total is "a little over $75,000,000" spread across the general fund, water, sewer, stormwater, environmental and schools funds. Moyers walked council through new reserves and notable projects.

New reserves and public-safety projects: Moyers described a proposed affordable and workforce housing reserve beginning at $30,000 in FY26 and building to $50,000 over five years to support strategies of the housing work group. He said the city proposes a new police relocation reserve to begin saving $150,000 per year for land acquisition and design for phase 1, and a Fire Station No. 1 improvements reserve aiming for $3–4 million funded by $200,000 annual carryover contributions to rebuild and add space.

Equipment and fleet: Staff proposed a golf-cart replacement fund to purchase 10 carts per year at $60,000 annually to avoid a single large replacement purchase; Parks and Recreation currently has a fleet of 52 carts with 12 older Yamahas that staff said they would rotate out. Public Works equipment needs include tractors, one-ton work trucks, a bucket truck and a mini grader scheduled across the five-year plan.

Sidewalks and parks: The CIP includes a proposed increase to the new sidewalk reserve from $100,000 to $300,000 starting FY26 and a plan to reach $500,000 by 2028 conditioned on available carryover. Moyers also described a Parks and Recreation public-use facilities reserve (previously the Moxie Fund) with priorities including Gypsy Hill Park pool house replacement and related restroom and pump-house work.

Utilities and large projects: Water fund highlights include annual line replacement at $450,000, a Richmond Avenue waterline replacement (phase 1 construction $2.5 million in FY26), reservoir lining and cover replacement ($1.5 million), and larger unfunded pipeline replacements for North River lines (estimates for potential future replacements cited in the transcript: $11 million, $20 million, $10.5 million for different sections). Moyers said the North River pipeline items are large, long-term needs that are not in the five-year plan.

Schools and stormwater: The CIP lists school building-maintenance needs and bus replacement assistance (city normally provides $100,000; schools requested an additional $70,500 for bus and paving reserves). Stormwater projects include an Assalam Creek restoration ($850,000) and monitoring systems for Lake Tams.

Process and timeline: Staff told council the CIP format change is meant to be more user-friendly and that the planning commission had reviewed and adopted the draft. Moyers said the CIP will be scheduled for adoption with the FY2026 budget in April; there will be additional work sessions in March and April to refine appropriations.

Ending: Council members asked clarifying questions about timing, funding sources and project sequencing. Moyers and department staff encouraged councilors to send questions and noted staff will return with more detailed figures for projects such as pool-house construction and roof replacements.