THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511170733
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
For possibly the first time in Suffolk's history, city officials and the City Council are being asked to approve a detailed plan for the future.
A 10-year, $290 million capital improvement plan was again introduced to the council on Wednesday, along with several proposed financial policies that would govern how the city spends and invests taxpayer funds.
The Capital Improvement Plan - a document City Manager Myles E. Standish has called a ``blueprint'' for Suffolk's expected growth - includes a bevy of projects and some daunting price tags, including $60 million in water projects, $40 million in sanitary sewer projects, and $39 million in improving and building public buildings and facilities.
City officials were quick to say the plan, which has not yet been formally approved, is not a capital budget.
It includes ``possible and probable capital improvements that can be identified as of now, with estimated costs for each,'' Standish said. ``In addition, they are scheduled in some kind of logical progression because, obviously, some have higher priorities and some need to occur before others.''
Council was first introduced to the capital plan at its September retreat. The plan would be used to guide council on future capital projects. It is not a list of projects that Suffolk will do, but rather a list that Suffolk would like to do.
Projects chosen from the plan would be sought based on the city's need and funds available.
``There is no doubt that we have many more needs than money available,'' said Mayor S. Chris Jones.
Suffolk is expected to undergo a wave of new development in the next 10 years, with the city's current population of 51,000 expected to nearly double by the year 2010.
With that growth comes a dire need to expand sewer, water, and other services throughout the city, something Suffolk has not done for years.
The capital improvement plan contains tentative plans to spend:
$14.1 million for a new northeast water source and transmission main.
$21.7 million to expand the city's existing water distribution and transmission system.
$1.11 million to renovate City Hall on Market Street.
$3.8 million to build a public safety building for police and fire officials.
The plan also includes $2.1 million to renovate and develop Constant's Wharf and $75,000 for new communications equipment for the city.
Fire and police officials have said their current radio channels are nearly full. The city spent nearly $3.75 million on new communications equipment five years ago.
In a related matter, David Rose, a private financial adviser for the city, said Suffolk officials should adopt certain financial policies which will be used in preparing the city's capital budget for the next fiscal year.
If adopted, Suffolk would be the first city in the region with such guidelines. The policies are expected to keep the city out of a financial crisis, help the city achieve funding for its future needs and look at the city's big picture, Rose said.
When these policies are considered and ultimately adopted by council, it should give the city specific direction on how a capital budget can best be approached, said Standish.
The financial policies include:
Having a minimal amount of money in an overnight account. For example, after last weekend's storms in Suffolk, this money could have been used quickly to help pay for cleanup and emergency personnel.
Having the city's undesignated fund balance, a fund not allocated to be spent on anything, be no more than 8 percent to 10 percent of the city's total operating budget.
A policy that would not allow the city's debt to get out of control as it relates to the city's overall spending.
The establishment of a Capital Improvement Reserve Fund. Interest from this fund would help pay for part of the incremental cost of future maintenance on capital improvements.
Rose said this particular fund would ``go beyond what most localities do. This,'' he said, ``could put you one step ahead of your neighbors.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Suffolk's capital improvement plan includes $2.1 million to renovate
and develop Constant's Wharf.
by CNB