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State law reference — Reserve funds, G.L. 1956, § 45-11-1.
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[Ord. of 11-15-1990; Ord. of 2-3-1997; amended 2-16-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-02]
(a)
A capital improvement program is the town's plan for short and
long range physical development. The capital improvement program links
the town's comprehensive plan and fiscal plan to physical development.
It provides a mechanism for estimating capital requirements and planning,
scheduling and implementation of projects over a six-year period;
develops revenue policy for proposed improvements; monitors the progress
of capital projects; and informs the public of proposed capital improvements.
Capital improvement projects are items that have a useful life of
at least five years and have a cost in excess of $25,000.00.
(b)
Capital improvement projects include the following activities:
(1)
The acquisition or lease of land.
(2)
The construction of a new building or facility, including the
cost of engineers, architects, site planning and other preconstruction
costs.
(3)
Major improvement, renovation, rehabilitation or extension of
an existing building or facility in excess of $25,000.00. and beyond
normal maintenance, repair or replacement.
(4)
The purchase of a major item or piece of equipment that has
a useful life of at least five years and has a cost in excess of $25,000.00
and represents a change in program beyond normal repair or replacement.
[Ord. of 11-15-1990; Ord. of 2-3-1997; amended 2-16-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-02]
The Block Island Water Company, sewer commission, school committee, Block Island health services, Block Island volunteer fire and rescue department, library board of trustees, fire/police trust, town council, police, harbors, clerk, building official, finance, town manager, recreation commission, North Light commission and any agency, department, division, board, commission or office which is involved in any municipal capital improvement project as defined in § 2-241 shall submit requests for the capital improvement program. This division will apply to any agency, department, division, board, commission or office created subsequent to the adoption of this division.
[Ord. of 11-15-1990; Ord. of 2-3-1997; amended 2-16-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-02]
(a)
Financial analysis and target budgeting.
(1)
The financial goal is to level town capital spending so that
the amount requested from town general funds at the annual financial
town meeting is predictable year to year. However, when supplemented
by grants, loans and other non-tax funds, actual capital spending
may vary considerably.
(2)
The town manager, will meet with department heads and the finance
director to establish a target amount to be appropriated from town
general revenues toward the capital improvement program; to determine
the status of current and projected projects; to determine grants
received, to seek any that are available; and to determine the level
of debt for general bond obligation.
(3)
The town manager will meet with department heads and the finance
director to review completed projects for close out and determination
of use of any remaining funds, including appropriation of completed
project funds for new projects to be authorized or de-authorized and
return of project funds to original sources.
(b)
Compilation and understanding of requests. Participants shall submit
requests for proposed capital improvement projects to the town manager.
The town manager will review and develop a compilation of requests
and the expected source of funding for each project. The town manager
shall refer the list to the Planning Board. The Planning Board shall
review the list during a public meeting. Following the meeting, the
Planning Board shall submit in writing to the Town Manager:
(1)
A determination as to the consistency of the Capital Improvement
Program with the Comprehensive Plan, including a list of projects,
if any, with justification as to why they may be inconsistent,
(2)
Any relevant concerns raised during the public meeting, and
(3)
Any suggested additions or subtractions to the Capital Improvement
Program.
(c)
Two-stage process for major capital projects. Requests for capital improvement projects as defined in § 2-241(b)(2) and (3) shall be submitted in two stages, typically one or more years apart.
(1)
Stage I requests shall be for planning funds sufficient to provide
a conceptual design and detailed cost estimate prepared by professional
consultants or other qualified experts.
(2)
Stage II requests shall be for authorization and funding to
implement a project based on a Stage I conceptual design and budget.
Before a request for Stage II authorization can be submitted, the
results of the Stage I studies shall be presented to the town council
at a meeting called to include opportunity for public comment.
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Where timing does not allow a year's delay between Stage
I and Stage II, a combined request may be submitted, with the requirement
that, if appropriated, the same two-stage process will be followed
and no expenditure of the Stage II portion of the appropriation can
proceed until the Stage I conceptual design and cost estimates have
been presented to a meeting of the town council.
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[Ord. of 11-15-1990; Ord. of 2-3-1997; amended 2-16-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-02]
(a)
The town manager shall develop ranking criteria and use those values
to establish a priority for all projects, based on an analysis of
the effect of each project on the community:
(1)
Protection of life and property.
(2)
Maintenance of public health.
(3)
Conservation of natural resources.
(4)
Provision of necessary public services.
(5)
Replacement or improvement of obsolete facilities.
(6)
Reduction of municipal operating costs.
(7)
Public comfort and convenience.
(8)
Provision of public recreation.
(9)
Social, cultural, or aesthetic values.
(10)
Promotional or tourism value.
(11)
Supports local year-round economy.
(12)
Resiliency to natural hazards including sea level rise.
(b)
Prior to February 1 of each year, the town manager, shall establish
priorities and a schedule for the different requests to develop a
six-year capital improvement program. The breakdown for each year
will specifically separate the amount of funds for each project expected
to come from town general funds as distinct from other sources. The
town manager shall consider this recommended capital budget in assembling
other capital budget proposals for submission to the town council,
but shall not be bound by the recommendations of the planning board
on any project.
[Ord. of 11-15-1990; Ord. of 2-3-1997; deleted 2-16-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-02]
Editor's Note: Ord. No. 2022-02 deleted material previously
codified herein regarding mandatory referral to planning board.
