Planning Department outlines capital improvements budget process, deadlines and prioritization rules

Greg Claxton of the Metro Nashville Planning Department gave a briefing to the Planning & Zoning Committee on the capital improvements budget (CIB) process as the city begins developing the FY 2026 CIB.

Claxton said the CIB covers capital items that cost more than $50,000 and have a useful life greater than 10 years, and cautioned that “inclusion in the CIB doesn't guarantee funding. The CIB only lays out what Metro could spend money on.” He explained the six-year listing approach, noting the document is binding only in the first year and that departments must secure funding sources (for example, general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, 4% funds, enterprise funds, or federal and state funding) before projects can proceed.

Claxton walked members through the annual cycle: departments submitted requests beginning in October; planning will present a combined CIB to the planning commission in April, the mayor will release his draft in May, and the council will consider adoption in June. He said the department has posted a report and a prioritization worksheet online; the worksheet allows council members to assign priority points across projects and filter projects by district. Claxton reiterated the prioritization rules carried forward by the planning and finance chairs: each council member has 100 points to allocate and may place no more than 50 points on any single project; district members should prioritize district-benefitting projects while at-large members should prioritize regional or countywide projects.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. Council Member Allen asked how ongoing department work (cost estimates in progress) interacts with the prioritization list; Claxton replied that in several cases departments are still developing cost estimates and those will be added to the worksheet when available. A committee member noted some department comments referenced in the worksheet appear in the PDF report rather than in the worksheet; Claxton confirmed the full PDF with departmental comments is posted on the planning website and said he would resend the link; he also reiterated the deadline to submit prioritization allocations to council staff is February 12, and that late submissions will not be accepted.

Ending

Claxton invited members to contact him or council staff with questions about the worksheet or the overall CIB process; the committee adjourned afterward.