2026 - 2028 Community Proposal Budget Process

Community members are encouraged to submit proposals for investments to City places, spaces, and roads.

Submit Your Idea Today

The 2026 Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) Community Proposal Process carries forward a longstanding commitment to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), and will review submissions and recommend funding for budget years 2026 – 2028. The process benefits from the work of the City Council Audit Committee and Wilder Research, as well feedback and recommendations submitted by community, and works to implement process improvements, prioritizing those which impact the experience of the community members who submit applications, such as simplifying the application, providing additional ways to submit ideas, and improving communication and promotion of direct technical assistance opportunities.

2026 Key Dates and Timeline

  • December 15, 2025: Community Proposal Application Platform Opens
  • February 9, 6:30 pm: CPTED & Applications Community Workshop at Arlington Hills Community Center
  • February 20: Application Deadline
  • June 8: Public Hearing
  • June 30: CIB Committee Funding Recommendation to the Mayor
  • Mid-August: Mayor's Proposed Budget
  • December: Adopted Budget finalizes project funding

2026 Capital Improvement Budget

The Proposed and Adopted Capital Improvement Budget from current and prior years are  available on the City's budget page. Visit the CIB Committee web page for more information on committee meetings, meeting agendas and minutes, and meeting locations and times.

Capital Improvement Budget Process

The Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) is how we fund the construction and maintenance of City infrastructure. This includes improvements in streets, bridges, libraries, parks, recreation centers, and other public facilities and infrastructure. The budget is composed of a variety of state, federal, and local funding sources. The CIB Committee is an advisory body of 18 Saint Paul residents that recommends projects and funding levels to the Mayor every year by June 30. The Capital Improvement Budget is approved by the Mayor and City Council annually. 

The Saint Paul Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) process is designed to engage residents in evaluating capital needs in the City. In 2019, we launched a new CIB process to replace the over three decades old existing process and focus more strongly on: ​

  1. Equity and inclusion: Budgeting decisions reflect our commitment to equity. The CIB Committee supports identifying ways to invite more voices to the table and ensure investments are distributed equitably throughout the City.
  2. Strategic investments: Capital investments all feed into a larger, more comprehensive strategic framework that takes advantage of data and ensures maximum return on investment.
  3. Fiscal responsibility: Existing infrastructure such as roads, bridges and sidewalks – as well as existing parks and libraries facilities – are well-tended. Maintenance is prioritized. 

One of the most significant changes to the process is the creation of a two-year cycle with the first year dedicated to City department-submitted projects and the second for community-submitted projects, eliminating the competition for funding between City and community projects that existed in the previous process. 

January - June: Capital Improvement Bond Budget Review Process

The Saint Paul Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) process is designed to engage residents in evaluating capital needs in the City. In 2019, we launched a new CIB process to replace the over three decades old existing process and focus more strongly on: ​

  1. Equity and inclusion: Budgeting decisions reflect our commitment to equity. The CIB Committee supports identifying ways to invite more voices to the table and ensure investments are distributed equitably throughout the City.
  2. Strategic investments: Capital investments all feed into a larger, more comprehensive strategic framework that takes advantage of data and ensures maximum return on investment.
  3. Fiscal responsibility: Existing infrastructure such as roads, bridges and sidewalks – as well as existing parks and libraries facilities – are well-tended. Maintenance is prioritized. 

One of the most significant changes to the process is the creation of a two-year cycle with the first year dedicated to City department-submitted projects and the second for community-submitted projects, eliminating the competition for funding between City and community projects that existed in the previous process. 

Capital Improvement Budget Committee Funding Recommendations

In both years, the CIB Committee forwards recommended capital improvement budgets for the following two fiscal years to the Mayor by late June. In even years, when City department projects are not considered, the tentative budget for City projects in the second year of the biennium generally is recommended by the CIB Committee, proposed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Revisions to the tentative budget are allowed for projects that satisfy one of three conditions: 1) elimination of a life/safety hazard; 2) leverage of non-city funding; or 3) coordination with other projects. 

Additional Funding Review and Recommendation Processes

  • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): A federal program administered through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that enables local governments to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create suitable living environments, provide decent affordable housing and create economic opportunities, primarily for persons of low and moderate income. Community organizations are invited to apply for CDBG funds through the City of Saint Paul every other year. Applications are accepted in odd numbered years for funding beginning in even numbered years.
  • Long-Term Capital Maintenance: In the fall of odd-numbered years the CIB Committee reviews proposals for maintenance

Mayor’s Proposed Budget

The Mayor proposes capital (and operating) budgets to the City Council and residents in mid-August. 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.

Past Year Process Documents

Active Community Polls

2027 - 2031 Capital Improvement Plan Projects

This poll is ongoing and includes the projects proposed by departments for or Capital Improvement Bond funding in 2027 - 2031, tentative funding recommendations for 2027 were made by the Committee, this and other polls will be used in each department proposal budget review process

Last Edited: December 12, 2025