FY24-28 Recommended CIP Largest in County's History

BRADENTON  — In a BOCC work session on Tuesday, Manatee County CFO Sheila McLean presented commissioners with the five-year recommended FY24-28 Capital Improvement Plan. This is the largest CIP the county has ever seen with a proposed $2.1 Billion total over five years and an FY24 investment of nearly $340 Million. The CIP’s total inclusive of existing previous years’ projects came to $3.6 Billion, the county’s CFO detailed on Tuesday. 

 

Along with the county’s increasing need to address growth—particularly into areas where such growth was not previously anticipated—challenges seen in previous year’s CIP planning and adoption since the pandemic continue. These include supply chain challenges and labor shortages. 

 

While supply chain challenges have somewhat improved since 2021, competing demand for workers and supplies in neighboring counties that are similarly planning and executing infrastructure projects in response to growth will continue to impact the overall cost and timelines of locally planned projects. 

 

The county’s CIP includes 653 projects, 66 of which are new. Projects are divided into two categories, governmental and enterprise. Some of the projects within the governmental designation are existing building improvements or new construction, park and leisure projects, public safety projects, as well as transportation, which along with utilities projects, make up the bulk of the CIP’s planned investments. Enterprise projects include utilities projects such as potable water, solid waste, wastewater and stormwater-related projects.

 

When broken down by district, the FY24-28 CIP designates 40 percent of its total investments into 155 projects located within the county’s rapidly growing eastern District 1. The county’s District 1 planned projects account for roughly $1.4 Billion of the total CIP’s $3.6 Billion for major transportation and water/utility construction and/or upgrades. 

 

The next largest percentage of investment is also designated east county, within District 5, with 102 projects planned. District 2 includes 92 planned projects, District 3 has 119 projects planned, and District 4 includes 101 planned projects. The additional 84 projects are countywide or multi-district projects as presented in the proposed five-year CIP. 

 

The recommended CIP proposes $493.2 million in transportation improvements over the next five years to address growth, heavily weighted toward roadway improvements. These improvements include previously planned major projects identified as The Big 6: 

 

• 59th St W - four-lane from Cortez to Manatee Ave

• 63rd Ave E - four-lane US 301 to Tuttle Ave

• 75th St W - four-lane 20th Ave W to Manatee Ave W

• Lena Road - South of 44th Ave E of Landfill Road

• Lorraine Road - four-lane SR64 to 59th Ave East

• Upper Manatee River Rd - four-lane N of SR64 to Ft Hamer Bridge

 

Additional significant road projects include:

 

• 44th Ave E - 44th Ave Plaza E - Lakewood Ranch Blvd

• 60th Ave E - Mendoza Road to Buffalo Road

• Canal Road corridor projects

• Moccasin Wallow corridor projects

 

The recommended CIP also includes 35 sidewalk projects and seven roadway intersection improvement projects. 

 

The remaining bulk of investments as recommended in the FY24-28 CIP includes $89.2 million in parks/sports/leisure projects, $34.1 million in public safety projects, and $16.4 million in projects categorized as "general government" projects. 

 

The county’s first budget public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 12, 2023, 6-8 pm. A second public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19, 6-8 pm, where commissioners will set the millage rate and adopt the final FY24 budget.

 

To view the county’s budget calendar including scheduled reconciliation and hearing dates, click here. To locate and review all budget-related documents/materials, visit the Manatee County Department of Financial Management's Budget Division webpage by clicking here.  

 

To view the FY24-28 recommended CIP slideshow as presented during Tuesday’s work session, click here. To replay the presentation as given during the BOCC meeting, click the video below.