Lake Placid approves first reading of annual capital‑improvement ordinance with amendments on police car, public‑works facility and recreation

The Lake Placid Town Council on Jan. 13 approved on first reading an ordinance that updates the town’s five‑year capital improvement schedule, with several council‑directed changes to timing and funding.

Dana Riddell, the town planner, reminded the council the capital improvement schedule is an annual update to the comprehensive plan that identifies project priorities, funding sources and timing to meet Florida statutory review requirements. “The capital improvement schedule is located inside the capital improvement element of the town's comprehensive plan, but this is not considered pursuant to Florida statute as a full blown comprehensive plan amendment,” she said.

Council questions during the hearing focused on funding sources for specific projects and the schedule for large items. Finance director Rachel (last name not specified in transcript) explained that some items listed on the schedule are already encumbered in utility capital projects and that moving multi‑year utility work could free funds in later years. During discussion councilmembers raised concerns about a $1.5 million public‑works complex listed in the plan and asked staff to separate the share of that project that could be borne by the utility enterprise versus general fund obligations.

After a lengthy discussion and several proposed amendments, council adopted a motion on first reading that: removes the additional Lake Placid Police Department vehicle from this fiscal year’s capital list; moves the $1.5 million public‑works complex to the 2027–28 time frame and directs staff to break out the project cost between utility and general funds; removes a planned street sweeper purchase from the five‑year list; and adds a $100,000 splash‑pad/dog‑park line to match playground funding lines (council directed staff to align the splash‑pad/dog‑park timing with existing playground allocations).

Councilmembers said they wanted more detail on the public‑works complex before committing funding, and staff recommended the item could be moved later in the schedule if the council preferred; staff also warned moving it could affect eligibility for future grant opportunities. The motion was recorded as passing on a roll‑call vote.

Riddell said she will return the ordinance for second reading with the council’s requested edits and with Highlands County and state notifications the law requires.