Cedar Falls council adopts five-year capital improvements plan; trails supporters pledge private funds for Prairie Lakes repaving

The Cedar Falls City Council adopted its five-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) on Jan. 21 after a public hearing and staff presentation, voting unanimously to move the planning document forward as the basis for the FY2026 budget.

The CIP, described by staff as a planning document that guides project priorities, lists 214 projects and—per the packet—totals more than $4.73 million. Director of Parks and Recreation Jen Rodenbeck told council the FY2026 column will be folded into the budget that later returns to council for review and two required public hearings.

Why it matters: the CIP sets the city’s near-term infrastructure and quality-of-life spending priorities and helps staff and council plan for property tax impacts during the budget process.

At the public hearing, Roger White, a member of the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership and the city bicycle-pedestrian commission, praised the CIP’s emphasis on sidewalks, trails and parks and called out a Prairie Lakes trail reconstruction project (listed in the CIP as project 114). White said the existing asphalt trail is damaged by tree roots and that the proposal is to repave the segment with concrete to limit future uprooting.

“We have pledged at least $20,000 toward that project,” White said, adding that current fundraising brought the partnership “closer to $30,000” to assist the city with the repaving.

Rodentbeck said the city’s goal in developing the CIP is to minimize property tax impact while addressing infrastructure and quality-of-life needs. She also reminded the public that the online survey for the city’s parks master plan remains open through Jan. 31.

Council discussion focused on timing and next steps: staff said a committee meeting will take place Feb. 3, the formal letters related to valuation go out in March, and the budget certification deadline is April 30. Councilors asked staff to prepare options to trim CIP items if the resulting budget would raise the millage rate more than desired.

The council voted by roll call with “all members voting aye” to approve and adopt the CIP as presented.

Ending: Rodenbeck said the next steps are budget development and two public hearings as the council moves from planning to the formal FY2026 budget process. The Prairie Lakes trail project will require temporary trail closure when construction occurs; the Cedar Valley Trails Partnership’s pledged funds aim to reduce the city’s net cost.