City plans $47.2 million in capital projects

Whitefish’s five-year capital improvements program calls for funding 265 projects at a total estimated cost of $47.2 million.

City Council on April 6 adopted the plan, which plans for the construction and financing of major projects for the city.

“The flexible plan is updated periodically to respond to changing circumstances,” said Finance Director Dana Smith. “It serves as a tool in the budgeting process. However, actual approval of projects takes place in the final approved budget.”

The city adopted a capital improvement program in 2007. Under state law, the city must update the plan at least every two years.

The adopted five-year plan runs through 2020 and is 53 percent funded, not accounting for any anticipated debt, according to Smith.

City Manager Chuck Stearns cautioned that the document is for planning purposes only.

“Not everything gets funded,” Stearns said. “If we spent $47 million in the next five years, I’d be shocked.”

A new City Hall is included in the plan at a cost of $14 million. The plan also calls for $10.2 million in street reconstruction, $2.6 million for parks, $2.2 million for fire and ambulance services and $299,000 for the police department.

Funding for improvements comes from various sources.

The new City Hall is expected to paid for largely with tax increment funds and general obligation bonds, and resort tax revenue is planned to pay for street and park improvements. Grant funds are also expected for fire, police, parks and public works projects.

In addition, Smith said, the city has identified 13 projects that will be needed after fiscal year 2020 at a cost of about $11 million. Beyond 2020, a projected expense comes at $4.5 million for the expansion of the city’s water treatment plant.

Stormwater, sewer and water improvements are estimated in the plan at roughly $15.8 million.

Improvements to the water system are part of the plan from 2016 to 2020. About $2.2 million is needed for constructing a new reservoir south of the railroad tracks and $4.5 million is called for to expand capacity at the water treatment plant.

Sewer improvements are expected to ring in at about $7 million over five years. About $5.5 million of that is expected to be spent in fiscal year 2016, including a $1.5 million upgrade to the wastewater plant, $800,000 for a Cow Creek sewer extension and $743,000 for upgrades connected with U.S. 93 West reconstruction.

Parks and Recreation is planning for upgrades to facilities.

The plan calls for upgrades at the Stumptown Ice Den within the next five years at a total of $980,000, including $600,000 for a new refrigeration plant.

About $145,000 is expected to be spent on upgrades to the Armory building.

The plan projects spending $1.7 million on improvements to Depot Park based upon the park master plan. Other improvements at parks include, City Beach at $109,000, Riverside Park at $150,000, Memorial Park at $175,000, and Armory Park at $290,000.

The plan calls for $450,000 for trail development, $100,000 to pave the parking lot at the WAG dog park and $200,000 to overlay the parking lot at Armory Park.

The fire department is planning to replace a fire truck in 2018 at a cost of $1.25 million.