Port council signs off on $6.3 million capital budget

Sixty-six capital projects — everything from buying new trucks and computers to conducting an engineering study for repairs to the Port Washington lighthouse — were authorized by the Common Council Tuesday night.

Aldermen approved a $6.3 million capital improvement budget for 2022, much of which is expected to be paid through the city’s debt service.

That borrowing, expected to be conducted next year, won’t affect the city’s budget until 2023, City Administrator Tony Brown told the council. 

Then, it will increase the debt service payment to $3.3 million, and increase the tax rate $2.50 per $1,000 assessed valuation, or 14%, he said.

Capital purchases approved Tuesday range from $2,600 for new office computers at the police station to $1.7 million for street resurfacing and reconstruction.

It includes $100,000 to design and engineer lighthouse repairs, $58,000 for a downtown master plan and $125,000 to revamp the zoning code.

Also included is $25,000 for a fire study, although whether that money is used for the next step in a shared services study or work for a second fire station has yet to be determined.

Three areas identified in a recent city survey as areas in need of improvement received funding in the budget, Brown said.

The budget includes $3.8 million for transportation and facilities projects, including money for street and alley improvements, park projects, sidewalk maintenance and creek stabilization; $35,000 for communications projects, including a communication plan and city website redesign, and $288,000 for vision, planning and policy projects, including a strategic plan, compensation study and the fire and downtown plans and zoning code work.

Aldermen held a 45-minute session before the council meeting to review the capital budget.