By Jim Barnes, Wellington Village Manager
As we continue in this new year, you will notice the Village of Wellington undertaking some of the projects that our Wellington Village Council approved last fall in the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Budget and the 23023-2027 Five-Year Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The CIP is a five-year outlook for anticipated capital projects and is reviewed and updated annually by the council.
The 2023-2027 Five-Year CIP reflects the council’s continued investment in capital projects throughout the village in a fiscally responsible manner. The $24 million program, largely funded through the general and utilities funds and sales surtax, includes $5 million in ongoing funding for new and existing assets, equipment and vehicle replacements, as well as infrastructure to enhance our neighborhoods and home values; $9.4 million for one-time projects; and $10 million for utilities capital projects. In addition to the $24 million CIP, another $5.8 million is budgeted for major maintenance to maintain village buildings and facilities, and our extensive network of parks.
The remaining amount will be spent on enhancements and new infrastructure that will benefit residents and set conditions for the future. Examples include the refurbishment of Margate and Staimford neighborhood parks and the Olympia Park tennis and basketball courts, as well as the exotic vegetation removal and clearing from the 45-acre expansion of the Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat.
Work this year is also focused on the expansion of the multi-use pathway network. Transportation improvements and the continued investment in information technology are also central to our efforts to improve traffic safety and leverage technology.
In developing the Five-Year CIP, the following elements are taken into consideration: council goals, community surveys, grant funding opportunities, commitments made by the village, maintenance/rehabilitation of existing village facilities and infrastructure, technology improvements, and enhancements within the community. The proposed CIP was developed in support of the council’s strategic focus areas with emphasis placed on public safety, fiscal health and community livability. You can stay informed of the CIP process as the village undertakes its update for the 2024-2028 Five-Year CIP, as well as the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, by signing up for e-mail updates and by following the Village of Wellington on social media.
Every year, the council meets to discuss the strategic framework and vision for the coming year. The framework outlines goals related to economic, fiscal and environmental stewardship; best-in-class services and amenities; and the physical, mental, social and emotional well-being of our residents and employees. It also includes goals related to our infrastructure. I look forward to engaging with all of you and working together toward that vision.
We are committed to transparency and community participation in government. Public involvement and input are the cornerstones of everything we do, and we know that we make better decisions and build a better future when we have conversations and gather feedback from invested stakeholders like you. There are many ways you can become engaged and stay informed.
Wellington is known for being a well-planned community that puts residents first. With that at our core, we invite you to engage with your “great hometown” and stay involved in your community. I hope to see you at our public meetings, at our award-winning community events, and out and about enjoying the beautiful community we all love to call home.
