Title
Preliminary Capital Facilities Plan 2026-2031 Financial Plan Discussion
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on the Preliminary Capital Facilities Plan 2026-2031 Financial Plan.
Staff Contact:
Casey Schaufler, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Economic Development, 360.753.8254
Presenter(s):
Casey Schaufler, Associate Planner
Background and Analysis:
During the July 21, 2025, Planning Commission meeting, Commissioners decided to utilize a finance subcommittee for purposes of reviewing and developing a recommendation on the Preliminary Capital Facilities Plan, 2026-2031 Financial Plan (CFP). This meeting is the first of at least three subcommittee meetings. At the first meeting Commissioners will discuss the draft document, the approach to completing the initial review, and determine if additional information is needed prior to the September 15, 2025, public hearing. In addition, the Finance Subcommittee will draft a comment letter to the City Council, for consideration by the full Planning Commission at its first meeting in October.
Climate Analysis:
The wide variety of projects included in the CFP, to occur over a number of years, can make it challenging to assess changes to emissions. Overall, the projects proposed help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by addressing energy use in city-owned buildings, electric vehicle infrastructure, transportation projects that also benefit bicyclists and pedestrians, and projects designed to increase capacity and efficiency or our drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
By continuing to serve our community members, as well as accommodating new growth, within the existing City limits and urban growth areas, we are working to create a compact and urban community. This helps us reduce emissions from the transportation sector by promoting active forms of transportation and providing for shorter trips required in order to meet our daily needs. It allows for the delivery of drinking water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater treatment facilities in a contained, compact area which is more efficient and costs less to serve than it would otherwise.
Equity Analysis:
Equity is considered as the master plans the capital projects generally come from are developed. In addition, equity issues are considered during budgeting decision making. The City strives to balance equity in its capital projects by including projects in various parts of the City, across multiple types of projects (transportation, parks, drinking water, etc.), and by improving accessibility in City facilities (ADA Transition Plan). This work is done within the constraints of the funding sources and limitations.
Some of the high level data that is considered is that in Olympia, roughly 37% of all households are cost burdened, with almost half of those households being severely cost-burdened. BIPOC members of our community are more likely to be cost-burdened than others.
Approximately 42% of Olympians have a household income of less than $50,000. Approximately 15% of our population live in poverty. In 2021, 13.5% of people in Olympia have a disability, up from 12.9% in 2016.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Preliminary CFP 2026-2031 Financial Plan was just released on August 4 and public comments have not yet been received. During the review of last year’s CFP, the majority of comments received were related to sidewalk issues such as maintenance and repair, as well as the desire for more sidewalks in the City.
Options:
None. No action requested.
Financial Impact:
The CFP identifies multiple projects, includes project estimates, and identifies funding sources for capital projects. The plan includes projects totaling $347 million, a $62 million or 22% increase over 2025.
Attachments:
2026-2031 Preliminary Capital Facilities Plan
City of Olympia Finance Webpage