Fulshear presents preliminary five‑year capital improvement plan: parks, water and downtown streets highlighted

Fulshear — City staff presented the preliminary five‑year capital improvement program (CIP) for FY2026 at the May 20 council meeting as required by the city charter. Staff described projects already under way and listed priority projects the city may pursue as funding and timing become clearer.

Key FY2026 proposals:
- Primrose Park Phase 3 — Construction contingency and completion funding request of $10.5 million, proposed to be paid with general obligation bonds.
- McKinnon Water Plant (design and construction contingency) — An item currently proposed for bond funding (design/const. line items shown in staff materials; planning and bonding details to be finalized in the FY26 budget process).
- SCADA master plan and implementation (water/wastewater automation study and phased implementation) — proposed funded by capital recovery and impact fees.
- Citywide flashing-beacon installation (year 2) and sidewalk gap program — near-term transportation/safety items proposed to carry budget lines in the general fund for next year.

Bullpen (high-priority projects under consideration): Staff also listed projects that are priorities but not yet funded/timed: public works and parks operations facility (preliminary engineering and land, $3.1M), parkland acquisition ($2.5M proposed by ballot), drainage master plan update, Bodark reconstruction, McKinnon Road improvements and other targeted roadway and drainage improvements.

Budget framing and process: Staff noted proposed CIP dollars are shown in 2025 dollars and that final funding and timing will be updated in the FY26 budget process. The city’s capital program operates in two budgeting funds: Fund 300 (general government projects: streets, parks, facilities) and Fund 501 (utility projects: water/wastewater). Staff said additional details and refined cost estimates will be presented to council during the budget workshops later this summer.

Why it matters: The CIP sets the city’s planned investments in parks, streets and utilities. Council members emphasized competing priorities: maintaining small-town character while paying for the infrastructure needed to support growth. One council member framed the issue as needing to diversify the tax base to avoid future tax or service shocks as the city grows.

Next steps: Staff will incorporate council feedback into the budget workshops and return with detailed funding recommendations, proposed bond or debt issuance plans, and project schedules.

Ending: Council accepted the preliminary presentation; more detailed CIP and budget decisions are expected in the coming months as staff refines costs and funding sources.