UPDATE 11 p.m. – After hours of debate, the Billings City Council approved Monday night a capital improvement plan worth $461.7 million over five years.
Council members voted 7-4 to approve the plan with some changes.
The plan included $50.5 million for an airport terminal expansion, $26 million for a South Billings aquatic center, $3.8 million for a police evidence facility, $3 million for a new West End reservoir and $8.7 million for a water/ wastewater replacement.
Much of the discussion centered around proposed city park improvements and maintenance.
The council eventually decided to carve out $26.6 million in park money from the overall spending plan, although council members could later decide to reallocate that money.
BILLINGS – At a meeting Monday night, the Billings City Council will get its first look at a capital improvement plan with a $461.7 million price tag.
The plan runs from 2020 through 2024.
Some projects planned to start in 2020 include:
- New airport terminal, $50.5 million total thru 2024
- South Billings Aquatics/Recreation Center $26.06 million
- Police Evidence Facility expansion, $3.8 million
- West end reservoir/ city lake $3 million
- Water/ wastewater main replacement $8.7 million
According to the city’s FY 2020-2024 Capital Improvement Plan Summaries Draft, the plan would fund 120 projects over four years.
The report says the city can also use bonds as a funding source for capital projects when they can’t be funded by current revenues.
The report mentions no plans to float bonds at this time.
According to the report, the money would come from capital project funds, enterprise funds, facilities management fund, and special revenue funds.
The meeting starts at 5:30 p,m. at City Hall.
