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Charlottesville council reviews proposed $189 million five‑year capital improvement program
Summary
At a budget work session, city staff summarized changes to the Fiscal Year 2026 capital improvement program, highlighting increases for affordable housing, sidewalks and an ADA transition plan and noting the overall five‑year total of roughly $189 million.
City Manager Sanders and staff reviewed the Capital Improvement Program during a Charlottesville City Council budget work session, saying the proposed CIP for fiscal 2026 and the next four years totals about $189,000,000 and that the 2026 portion is just under $32,000,000.
The city manager said affordable housing, transportation and education are the largest functions in the 2026 plan, with affordable housing constituting about 40% of the single‑year 2026 total and education and transportation each about 19%. Over five years the allocation is more evenly distributed, staff said.
From a funding standpoint, Sanders said roughly $138,000,000 of the five‑year plan is expected to be funded with bonds and about $47,000,000 with cash. The city currently programs an annual general fund transfer to the CIP as part of its guidelines; staff noted the draft moves more than the 3% guideline in this year’s proposal, representing roughly $8.3 million for FY26 compared with the 3% target of about $7.9 million.
Staff walked through sector highlights. Education: a five‑year increase of $500,000 for lump‑sum school facility funding and a $750,000 increase for the School Priority Improvements Program; a Walker pre‑K design package was moved earlier in the schedule (see separate article). Public safety: timing and cost adjustments for fire and EMS vehicles and an increased allocation to upfit the existing bypass fire station from $100,000 to $200,000. Transportation: sidewalks received a new $4,800,000 five‑year allocation tied to the sidewalks priority list; an ADA transition plan was added with $8,700,000 over five years; Safe Routes to School was added at $1,000,000 over five years. Parks: a $460,000 increase for playground renovations, $125,000 added to urban tree planning, $150,000 to Oakwood Cemetery drainage and road work, and a placeholder for downtown mall tree management and parks master plan implementation funds. Affordable housing: a $7,800,000 five‑year allocation was added for the Carlton Mobile Home Park project.
Staff also noted several smaller new or increased programs — a replacement program for portable radios for police (~$340,000 over five years), and recurring right‑of‑way funds (staff later clarified guardrail replacement) at $100,000 per year.
City staff emphasized that some line items were re‑timed rather than newly requested, and that some previously accumulated balances are being re‑aligned with expected deliverable schedules. Staff said the CIP spreadsheet and color coding showing increases, decreases and new items are available on the city website for review.
Looking forward, staff asked councilors for follow‑up direction on discretionary priorities and to identify items for later budget adjustments.
