Resident John Schrader details his concern about some projects being funded solely through a water rate increase that may fail to pass. Photo by Angela Underwood

DIXON, CA (MPG) - The 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) promises street repairs and water rehabilitation, among other projects.

City engineer and utilities director Jonathon Fong detailed the half-decade proposed capital improvement plan, which included 96 projects and eight new plans totaling approximately $160 million, to the mayor and council on June 18.

 Dixon Engineer and Utilities Director Jonathan Fong presents the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan to Mayor Steve Bird and the city council for approval on June 18. Photo by Angela Underwood

According to the resolution approving the capital improvement plan, there have been “significant revisions to the Five-Year CIP compared to the previous year” due to the General Plan 2040, the Transportation Impact Fee update, and the Streets and Water System Master Plans alterations. 

The staff report categorizes the capital improvement plan by city departments, traditionally including “construction projects to rehabilitate existing facilities and to construct new facilities to serve the needs of projected growth.”

“The CIP also includes non-construction projects such as major equipment purchases and studies,” according to the staff report. “Staff employs a computer program, Plan-it, to identify projects and funding sources and schedule project implementation for the life of this five-year program.”

The eight projects added to the capital improvement plan for the 2029 deadline are the East A Street and South 7th sewer repair, fire ladder truck, City Hall mold, water infiltration, Hall Park expansion, Northwest Park shade structure, Hall Park barbecue shade renovation and Northwest Park agriculture well.

“All the projects are fully funded in year one of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget,” Fong said.

However, according to the staff report, “implementation of projects in Years 2-5 may change as funding estimates are updated each year.”

Fong detailed the capital improvement plan approval process, noting it must pass three commissions: transportation advisory, parks and recreation, and planning before council adoption.

The Planning Commission approved the overall capital improvement plan; however, according to Fong, one commission member requested “a study related to the five acres per thousand-park standards in the General Plan 2040.”

Resident John Schrader said his only “concern” was clarifying the noted water rehabilitation of more than $16 million.

“If I understand this correctly, that is all contingent upon the water rate increase going through as a source for that,” Shrader said.

Another $16-million concern for Shrader was the proposed Chromium treatment for city water, which also depends on a rate increase.

Schrader’s public comments were not addressed, and the capital improvement plan was adopted unanimously by the mayor and council members.