Plain City begins five‑year capital improvement planning, officials flag taxation and debt policy work

Village Administrator Haley Lupton told Council on Feb. 5, 2025, that staff have drafted a five‑year capital improvement plan that will pair proposed and grant‑funded projects with available funding and a new capital‑planning tool.

Lupton said capital projects will be developed from Council goals, comprehensive plans, prior projects and resident input. Asked about land acquisition funding, she said the forecasting tool should increase the Village’s ability to plan and fund land purchases and that staff will explore available grant opportunities.

David Conley, the Village’s financial advisor, described how the capital plan will be coordinated with fiscal forecasting and discussed financing options. He reviewed the distinction between voted and non‑voted bonds under Ohio law and recommended that Council consider a taxation policy followed by a debt policy to guide future financing choices.

Director of Finance Renee' Sonnett said staff expects the proposed pool bond restructuring would shorten the bond payoff from 2039 to 2032, a change she said would be beneficial to taxpayers. "The pool bond length may be able to be decreased by seven years, which would greatly benefit taxpayers and the Village," Sonnett said.

Council and committee members expressed support for the capital planning effort and the forecasting tool; Ms. Pollom and Ms. Pothast emphasized the usefulness of both tools for long‑term decision‑making. Lupton said she expects to present a first draft of the capital plan to Council for consideration in the near future.

The meeting concluded with no unfinished or new business and the committee and Council adjourned at 7:23 p.m.