Falls Church CIP work session outlines $162M six‑year plan, flags sewer and stormwater cost pressures

City staff presented the proposed FY2027–2032 Capital Improvements Program to the Planning Commission on Feb. 18, describing a six‑year total of $162,000,000 and a fiscal‑year‑27 appropriation of roughly $19,000,000. The CIP focuses on three priorities: sustaining a state of good repair for existing infrastructure, progressive multimodal transportation (Vision Zero/Complete Streets), and strategic project development to improve project readiness.

Key elements and figures noted by staff:

- Total CIP (6 years): $162,000,000; FY27 appropriation: $19,000,000. - Funds organized by program: general and school fund (~$20M), transportation fund (~$100M), sewer and stormwater enterprise funds (~$42M combined). - Transportation highlights: five prioritized traffic‑signal replacements, pedestrian bridge at Cavalier Trail Park (structurally deficient), paving projects along Washington and Bridal tied to pending grants, and multiple missing‑link pedestrian/bike projects; many transport dollars are grant‑dependent. - Sewer: the city’s share of regional treatment costs at Alexandria Renew (ALEX Renew) is increasing as that regional facility undertakes a large rehabilitation program; the city finalized an additional conveyance/capacity purchase in FY26 and expects upward pressure on sewer rates. - Stormwater & resilience: the city was awarded a $500,000 Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) grant to develop a citywide stormwater resilience plan; staff also proposed a separate stormwater master plan to close modeling gaps and inform future projects. - Property yard and public safety HQ: major projects previously in the six‑year plan (a $30M property yard and a new public safety headquarters) have been shifted into the 10‑year pipeline while the city does public‑facilities planning and feasibility work. - Funding mix: transportation largely grant‑funded (~$90M of the transportation total), sewer and stormwater use a mix of debt, fund balances and grants; general fund capital reserves were reduced from $10M to $5M in the proposed plan and $6M of projects are shown as unfunded in the near term.

Commissioner discussion covered multiple issues: accelerating energy projects such as community solar to capture available tax credits, treating stormwater as an urgent area for funding and project delivery, clarifying whether fleet replacement lines could include electric school buses, and whether some bike projects should be elevated from the 10‑year pipeline into the six‑year plan. Staff explained constraints: some funding sources are restricted (e.g., NVTA/NVTA 30% funds and other transportation grants), local funds are limited and non‑fungible between funds, and larger projects may require debt financing or grant matching.

Staff emphasized new project‑readiness sheets and a CIP story map to improve public transparency, and scheduled the CIP public hearing before the commission for March 4 ahead of Council budget presentations in late March.

Next steps: March 4 public hearing and commission recommendation; City Manager and schools present operating and CIP budgets to Council on March 23; final adoption anticipated in May. Staff will return with more detailed project sheets and updates on grant outcomes and pipeline prioritization.