In an effort to provide detailed information on the Capital Improvement Plan presented to Milford City Council in late April, Milford Times will publish a series of articles detailing projects staff has identified as important. Council will approve the CIP, which is a plan used during the budget process, in June. The first of the series will provide details on one of the items identified in a recent survey as very important but where the city lacks quality – Parks and Recreation.
When the Milford City Council approves the CIP, it authorizes staff to seek funds that may cover the cost of the project, whether that be grant funding or funds within the current budget available to bring the project to fruition. According to Mark Whitfield, the plan is just that—a plan, but the council is aware when they approve it that staff will move forward with projects included in the plan.
“It is not a budget. The CIP is a living, breathing document that is in constant change throughout the year, but updated annually for the Council’s review and comment. The funding for projects in the plan comes about with the annual budget,” Whitfield said. “The money identified in the plan is projected costs over the life of the project. We use the plan for applying for potential grants when opportunities arise. In other words, we would not apply for a grant for a project if that project was not identified in the CIP.”
In the current CIP that council will approve, Economic Development projects totaled $35,910,487 for the next five years, most of which was due to the Milford Corporate Center. This project is designed to bring high-paying, quality jobs to Milford.
“It is anticipated this project will build out over the next three or four years, but could extend beyond that,” City Manager Mark Whitfield, filling in for City Planner Rob Pierce, who was on vacation, said. “What is reflected here is through 2027, but it could be extended.”
According to the CIP, $16.2 million was authorized in previous CIPs, with $6.8 million used at this point. Total projected costs for the corporate center include $14.4 million from water reserves, $1.02 million from electric impact fees, $3.1 million from sewer impact fees, and $1.7 from water impact fees. There is $5 million in loans as well.
The city also received $7.757 million in TIIF and $2.5 million in Infra plan/site-ready grants. The city expects to receive $12.8 million in funding through 2026 and $6.8 million in 2027.
The Planning Department only had one item on its CIP for the next five years. According to Lou Vitola, Finance Director, the Comprehensive Plan is not due until 2027 and is estimated to cost $50,000.
The next in the series on the CIP will be the police.
