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City staff outline $15.96 million CIP plan and recommend funding for fire-truck replacement
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Summary
Staff presented the proposed FY2027 capital improvement program totaling about $15.96 million, highlighted a recommendation to move $1,000,000 of assigned funds to reach $1.2M for fire-truck replacement, and described a $15M bridge preservation plan contingent on $12M in federal grant support.
City staff on Monday presented the recommended FY2027 Capital Improvement Program, describing project priorities, funding sources and next steps for formal appropriation.
Cameron McCormick, chief of internal services, said the 2027 program’s uses total $15,959,000. He recommended moving $1,000,000 of assigned fund balance from the general fund into the fire-truck replacement fund to bring that account to $1.2 million so staff can place apparatus orders on the city’s replacement cycle.
McCormick said the city maintains six apparatuses (two frontline engines, two reserve engines, a ladder truck and an ambulance) and described typical life cycles (frontline engines moved to reserve after 10 years and surplused after 20; ladder trucks ~20 years; ambulances ~15 years). He estimated an average annual replacement need of about $490,000 if the replacement schedule continues.
On bridges, McCormick said the bridge-preservation program is a multiyear effort estimated at roughly $15 million over three to four years, with staff expecting about $12 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure grant funds and $3 million in local match. If federal funds are not secured, he said staff would consider revenue-sharing or other local options to maintain progress.
Other CIP items highlighted included East Main streetscape, Waynesboro Transit ACCESS (largely DRPT-funded), Nature’s Crossing/Technology Center funding (a mix of grant and recurring transfers), and library mechanical upgrades. McCormick said staff will return a formal appropriation ordinance and a public hearing is likely in May or June; the appropriation for 2027 will be enacted through a separate fiscal-appropriation ordinance.
Council asked clarifying questions about timing for borrowing tied to the high school and NCTC projects and how grant contingencies affect scheduling; staff said their preference is a single bond issuance if projects align, but that timing may require staggered borrowings.
No final appropriation was approved on Monday; staff will return with an appropriation ordinance for final consideration in coming weeks.
