Council weighs timing for $2.7 million in 2027 capital bonds, flags police-station and garage projects

Mayor Safford opened the council’s discussion of the 2027 capital program, telling members that “the 1st group of projects requested totaled $2,700,000,” and that two of those projects include almost $1,000,000 in grant funding.

Finance staff walked the council through a three-category approach: shovel-ready projects that could be bonded within the recommended limit; projects funded from the sewer and water funds; and a special-projects category. Staff also recommended exploring cloud and leasing options for end-of-life servers and delaying bond issuance for long-lead vehicles until delivery.

Council members pressed on bond mechanics. One commissioner asked whether a bond can be reversed once issued; presenters explained bonds are intended to be used within roughly three years and that leftover proceeds may be used to pay down debt service. Staff cautioned that each bonded project is usually bonded separately and repurposing bond proceeds for a different capital purpose would require review by bond counsel.

The capital plan also includes recommended projects tied to possible real-estate transactions that, if approved, could fund a new police station, a DPS garage and a DPW garage. Council members said they want to reconcile outstanding DPW and sewer projects before committing to more bonding and to time bond issuance to the projects’ readiness.