Eau Claire council reviews $265 million CIP; public safety training, parking deck and PFAS work rise to top

Eau Claire City Council members spent a work session on May 27 reviewing a proposed five‑year capital improvement program (CIP) totaling about $265 million, discussing priorities and funding options for several large planned projects, including a downtown parking structure, a regional public safety training facility, PFAS response work, and sewer plant upgrades.

The CIP matters because several of the largest items would be funded by issuing general obligation debt and because their timing affects downtown businesses and other projects. “This year’s CIP is a little higher than usual because we have four larger projects plus a major sewer project,” said Kitsy Winters, a city director leading the presentation. Staff said roughly 53.5% of the plan is anticipated to be funded by long‑term debt, about 28% from enterprise funds and the remainder from grants, operating monies and one‑time fund balance.

Key items discussed

- Public safety training facility and driving track: Council and staff discussed expanding an existing training site at the former landfill into a regional facility that would include classroom space and a driving…