Changes for the 2018-2019 Capital Improvement Budget Process
The Saint Paul Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) process is designed to engage the public in evaluating capital needs in the City. The current system has been in place for more than 40 years and the City and the CIB Committee recognize a need to evolve the CIB process to ensure three basic objectives are met:
- 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.
- Strategic investments: Capital investments all feed into a larger, more comprehensive strategic framework that takes advantage of data and ensures maximum return on investment.
- Fiscal responsibility: Existing infrastructure such as roads, bridges and sidewalks – as well as existing parks and libraries facilities – are well-tended. Maintenance is prioritized.
The upcoming 2018-2019 CIB cycle gives us the unique opportunity to pause and reevaluate the process, since much of the funding was previously committed by the CIB Committee to the Scheffer Recreation Center and Fire Station 20 projects. For this cycle, a scaled-back CIB process will mean the following:
- Existing approved CIB projects will be honored.
- No new outside proposals will be considered, with the exception of proposals from Community Development Corporations (CDCs) that rely on Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).
- CIB Task Forces will not be convened.
- Limited remaining funds will be allocated to maintenance of existing infrastructure.
- A community-driven process to evolve the CIB process for the 2020-2021 budget cycle and beyond will begin in the coming weeks.
In September, the City Council passed a resolution outlining the City’s commitment to evolving the CIB process while acknowledging the funding limitations of this cycle.
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