Staunton City Council discussed a nearly $75.5 million five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) disseminated into six funds.
In a work session last Thursday, the council was informed that more than $35 million would go into a general fund, $24 million for water fund, $7.7 million for sewer fund, more than $3.7 million for stormwater fund, $1.3 million for environmental fund and nearly $3 million for schools.
New reserve funds, a way for the city to save cash for future funds, will include an Affordable Housing fund.
Another reserve will be relocating Staunton Police Department, a plan for which was put on the backburner while the city determined where to build a new Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court building. The city will put aside $150,000 a year toward a relocation project.
“So, it’s going to take a little time, but we were just hoping to start somewhere,” said Staunton Chief Financial Officer Jessie Moyers.
If the city saves $200,000 a year, the hope is to accumulate $3 to 4 million toward Staunton Fire Station No. 1, include a new roof and additional space.
Councilmember Jeff Overholtzer asked how long it would take the city to save that amount and Moyers said it would take a while.
The city also hopes to save $60,000 a year and replace 10 golf carts. The goal is to begin with replacing 12 old Yamaha golf carts and up to 52 carts in total. A Parks & Recreation Equipment Reserve would also begin with $100,000 a year to fund replacement of large equipment.
In the past, the city has funded a reserve to build new sidewalks with $100,000 per year. In the CIP, funding would be allocated as $300,000 in 2026, $400,000 in 2027, then three years of $500,000 each. The funding for the reserve would depend on availability of carry-over from the general fund.
“Sidewalk projects are expensive, as you have seen,” Moyers said.
The city recently funded improving sidewalks on the West End of the city.
The Parks & Recreation Public Facilities Fund would allow for replacement of the pool house at Gypsy Hill Park pool, and making improvements to the bathrooms at Gypsy Hill and Montgomery Hall parks, as well as to Gypsy Hill Park Pump House and Montgomery Hall Park Pool House.
Other reserves that were set up for the 2024 budget include West End revitalization, Staunton Public Library improvements and Uniontown neighborhood improvements.
Future CIP water-related projects will include phase 1 of Richmond Avenue Waterline Replacement for $2.5 million in 2026, replacing reservoir lining and cover in 2026 for $1.5 million, Uniontown water extension for $4.1 million, Shutterlee Mill Water Tank Inspection and Repainting in 2027 for $1 million and more than $10 million in 2028 for Richmond Avenue Waterline Replacement Phase 11.
Staunton City Council will consider approval of the final CIP in April 2025.
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Rebecca Barnabi
