Sunset Hills Aldermen Approve Capital Improvement Plan

Sunset Hills city departments have identified nearly 100 projects to keep their property and infrastructure in shape over the next five years.

For roughly five weeks a committee of Aldermen and residents ironed out a way to prioritize these projects, from road construction to city vehicle replacements, and assign a timeline for the work to be completed. The Board of Aldermen formally adopted the document, known as the capital improvement plan, Tuesday evening.

The plan is the first of its kind for the city. Capital improvement committee chairman and Ward 3 Alderman Stephen Webb said the “real value” of the plan to the city is establishing a transparent method of decision-making using capital funds.

The plan details $7.8 million in improvements through 2017, including more than $1 million scheduled for the 2013 fiscal year.

Webb said the plan should be considered a “living document,” however, and not all projects proposed will be funded. Funds reserved will be dependant upon budget approval from year to year.

Funds are also dependant upon the to fund capital improvements. Residents will decide whether to extend the tax, known as Proposition 1, during a special election on Aug. 7.

The plan includes all projects to "acquire, pay the cost of, maintain, operate, or to contract with other persons" for city assets valued above $1,000. 

Under the new plan, department heads prioritize their project requests using a 100-point scoring system. Factors considered include health and safety factors, legal mandates, available grant funding, and impact to budget. 

A copy of the plan will be loaded to the city’s website for the public to view. 

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