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Planning Commission to advertise public hearing on draft FY27-31 Capital Improvement Plan
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Summary
The Northumberland County Planning Commission voted to advertise a public hearing on the draft FY27-31 Capital Improvement Plan after reviewing major requests including sheriff’s vehicles, a future HVAC replacement, Emergency Services’ long-range building request and School Board bus and playground needs.
The Northumberland County Planning Commission voted Wednesday to advertise a public hearing on the draft FY27-31 Capital Improvement Plan following a review of department requests and funding options.
County Planner Stuart McKenzie opened the discussion of the draft CIP by describing Sheriff’s Office requests for four vehicles this year and a more costly HVAC replacement slated for 2028. McKenzie said Emergency Services has a separate revenue stream from billing patients and grant support, while the Sanitation District submitted a series of projects already familiar from prior CIP cycles.
Why it matters: The CIP sets capital spending priorities and helps the county plan for large-ticket replacements and new facilities. Commissioners discussed both near-term operating needs and longer-term capital projects and financing options, including bonds.
Commissioners highlighted several items that could affect county budgets and operations. John Kost, who sits on the Joint Finance Committee, said Emergency Services’ strategic-planning discussions now include a proposed $15 million new building; Chairman Garfield Parker warned volunteer rescue and fire departments are aging and said the county needs to maintain multiple stations under centralized leadership. The School Board is seeking bus replacements and funds to address rusted playground equipment and drainage at the elementary school; Kost said the schools plan a staged playground replacement and have requested two used buses priced at $53,924.
Kost also reported that the Electoral Board’s request to update voting machines was funded using the county’s first CIP bond, and that the county may authorize future bonds to help fund capital needs. McKenzie and commissioners praised department heads for submitting better-documented requests this year, which the CIP subcommittee found easier to evaluate.
Action taken: Commissioners voted to advertise and hold a public hearing on the DRAFT FY27-31 CIP at the Planning Commission’s next regular meeting. John Kost moved to advertise the hearing; Heidi Wilkins-Corey seconded. The transcript records that "the vote to advertise and hold a public hearing on the CIP was unanimous." (The motion was recorded as approved by all members present; attendance earlier in the record shows two members absent.) Staff agreed to reformat the CIP's cover page to improve readability before the advertised hearing.
Next steps: The Planning Commission will hold the advertised public hearing at its next regularly scheduled meeting; the Comprehensive Plan will be considered separately by the Board of Supervisors in April.