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Thomasville committee reviews FY26–30 CIP, debates using downtown sale proceeds for Main Street work
Summary
City staff presented a revised five-year Community Investment Plan including a proposed $300,000 Phase I for PACE Park; council members debated whether proceeds from downtown property sales should sit in Economic Development funds or be moved to a downtown reserve or general fund balance.
City Manager Michael Brandt outlined the FY26–30 Community Investment Plan and described Year 1 projects, including a proposed $300,000 Phase I for PACE Park that would be funded from proceeds of recent downtown property sales. "This is going to be something that we want to make available to the public," Brandt said, and described Phase I as "most likely the front of it, so we get a more attractive use out of 52 E. Main Street property."
Committee Member Scott Styers raised objections to using the Economic Development Fund for Main Street-type improvements, telling staff those funds are "typically for businesses that employ a lot of people, who need infrastructure help." Finance Director Thomas Avant replied that a half-cent property tax would raise about $120,000 and confirmed the Economic Development proceeds would roll to the General Fund at fiscal year end if unused.
Committee Member Payton Williams and Brandt discussed alternatives: moving the $400,000 from the sale into the General Fund with a council resolution earmarking it for downtown projects or creating a Downtown Development Reserve. Brandt said staff had considered placing the funds in the undesignated fund balance but favored keeping a clear designation for downtown work. Chairperson D. Hunter Thrift said he wanted a clear trail for future councils.
The CIP also lists a range of equipment, construction and long-term software items that staff treats as capital (items above $10,000 or land/improvements above $25,000). Highlights discussed during the committee review included replacement of five police patrol vehicles, a replacement garbage truck, parks and recreation purchases (including an activity bus and a pool cover), and infrastructure maintenance such as parking-lot work that staff suggested might be phased across years to match available funds. Public Works Director Daryl Poole noted a 12–18 month lead time for a replacement garbage truck and that the city operates 14 collection vehicles.
Committee members moved account-placement questions about the downtown sale proceeds to the upcoming retreat for further direction and agreed to a special-called Personnel/Finance meeting on Dec. 9 to discuss CIP items related to public utilities. The committee voted to table immediate action on which account should pay for the downtown projects until those discussions.
