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The next Department Process will occur in 2027 for budget years 2028 and 2029. 

Odd-Numbered Years: City Department Projects

In the spring of the odd-numbered years, a working group composed of representatives from City departments and the CIB Committee begin to review project proposals and 5-year plans submitted by City departments. As part their review, the working group shares the list of potential projects with the community for input. When project review is completed, the working group forwards their project and plan recommendations to the CIB Committee. The Committee reviews, discusses, and holds a public meeting on the recommended plans. 

Updates and active community polls are posted to our budget process update page. 

Process Steps

City Departments Draft 5 –Year Capital Plans

City departments review and update 5 year capital plans. These are submitted along with project proposals for Capital Improvement Bond Funding. 

These proposals needed to comply with the following requirements and ordinances: 

Proposals fall into one of three categories: 

  • Annual Programs: Programs which receive funding annually. Unlike department projects, Annual Programs are not proposals for a specific location, but are instead, programs which are critical to department mission.
  • Current Department Process Proposals: Individual and one time projects proposed by departments for the following two year budget cycle.
  • Capital Improvement Plan Projects: Individual and one time projects proposed by departments for future funding years, these proposals will create the tentative 5 year Capital Improvement Plan and are reviewed again in the following process. 

Capital Workgroup Reviews Citywide 5-Year Plan

The Capital Planning Team is a workgroup of CIB Committee members, and City staff which reviews all proposals to determine a recommended Citywide 5-Year Plan to the CIB Committee seeking ways to partner and plan project funding cooperatively. 

The planning team typically presents their recommendations in May of the process year. 

CIB Committee Review and Community Feedback

Eligible proposals are reviewed by the committee. The public can weigh in via online polling. Following the initial review, but ahead of the June Public Hearing, the CIB Committee will publish tentative recommendations. These recommendations are not final, but are intended to provide context to individuals interested in attending the public hearing.

In June, the CIB Committee holds a public hearing. This is the final opportunity for the public to provide input on the recommendations made by the CIB Committee.

Capital Improvement Budget Committee Funding Recommendations

Following the Public Hearing, the CIB Committee reviews all recommendations and community feedback, and recommends project priorities for 2-year funding cycle. These recommendations are part of the annual recommendation letter sent to the Mayor by June 30th each year. 

Mayor’s Proposed Budget

The Mayor proposes capital (and operating) budgets to the City Council and residents annually by August 15th. Typical proposals have requested improvements in streets, bridges, libraries, recreation centers, playground equipment, traffic flow and other public facilities and infrastructure. All improvements must have a useful life of at least 10 years. Current and past budget books can be found online: stpaul.gov/budget.

Budget Adoption

During the fall, the City Council reviews the Mayor’s proposed budgets and holds public hearings. In mid-December, the Council
adopts a final capital improvement budget for the next fiscal year and approves a tentative budget for the year after. Current and past budget books can be found online: stpaul.gov/budget.

Department Process History by Year

Review Project Proposals and Process Documents by Year