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Council adopts five-year Capital Improvement Program, programs major water and street projects
Summary
The City Council adopted its five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), programming water bond tranches, street rehab and stormwater projects, and prioritized a series of projects for design and construction over fiscal years 2026–2030.
The Saint Helena City Council adopted a five-year Capital Improvement Program that programs nearly $67 million in projects over fiscal years 2026–2030, with major work planned for water-system upgrades, pavement rehabilitation and stormwater improvements.
Director of Public Works/Engineering (presentation lead) described the CIP package and explained that many projects already planned in the water and wastewater rate study require sequencing, design lead-time, permitting and seasonal construction windows.
Highlights of the plan adopted include: - A multi-year water bond program tied to the water rate study, with a $10.5 million tranche already issued and additional tranches planned in fiscal years 2027 and 2029, while staff continues to coordinate issuance timing with project delivery needs. - Pavement and sidewalk work funded by Measure T/Measure U funds and the recently discussed general obligation bond program; the council heard that the city’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI) has risen from the mid-40s to the mid-60s in the last three years because of sustained pavement work. - Sequenced water projects such as Tank 2 rehabilitation, the intake-tower and valve-house work, and transmission main projects that will work around seasonal water-system demands. - Wastewater projects that include the Cornelia pump station replacement (in active construction) and longer-term plant improvements.
The presentation included a near-term funding picture that leaves limited discretionary capital for FY26 and preserves a cushion to address likely operational needs in the water and wastewater funds. Staff told the council they intentionally deferred some project spending to later years to reflect realistic delivery timelines and permit constraints.
Councilors thanked staff for the detailed sequencing and asked that the CIP dashboard, which is live on the city’s website, be used as a public tool to track project progress.
Ending: The CIP was adopted unanimously by roll call and will guide project delivery and bond-issuance timing over the next five years; staff will continue to refine schedules and bring specific construction contracts and appropriation requests back to council as projects move from design into procurement and construction.
