Committee to update 2026 list of shovel-ready capital projects for federal and state funding

County staff introduced an update to the 2026 list of critical capital projects the county keeps to pursue legislative funding and earmarks. The committee was told the list largely carries over from the prior year, includes shovel-ready capital projects and is used to respond quickly to federal and state funding opportunities.

Don Gilchrist noted that projects on the priority list can be pursued through different federal vehicles — including congressionally designated community project funding, the Water Resources Development Act or other grant programs — but cautioned that eligibility and project-size limitations vary by program.

Members discussed specific projects: Lower Mission Creek has an estimated total project cost of about $50,000,000 and may be a candidate for partial earmark funding; Kachuma facilities are owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, which limits Army Corps eligibility; and the Oasis Center/library has a previously earmarked amount of about $2,000,000 that staff expects will be used toward property purchase while Oasis continues local fundraising.

Staff will circulate the priority list to departments for confirmation and updates and return to the committee and board for approval. The committee moved and voted to receive and file the item.