Arlington County on Wednesday proposed spending $611.5 million for capital improvements between 2007 and 2012.
The biggest chunk would go to the county’s utilities, which are funded through a separate utilities fund paid for by user fees.
“We are continuing the implementation of a multiyear, extremely strong capital program — the largest in the county’s history,” said County Manager Ronald Carlee. “Although we face significant pressure from construction inflation throughout the Washington region, the proposed plan would enable the county to fulfill the investment commitments expected by the community.”
There are also a number of current projects — many of which were approved by voters in bond referenda — that need supplemental funding due to rapidly escalating construction costs. Some costs have risen by more than 25 percent in the last four years.
Inflation alone, Carlee said, means $36 million in supplemental funding is needed in the proposed plan.
According to county financial records, Arlington has spent more than $357 million for capital improvements in the past five years. The total cost of capital improvements for the past 10 years was $579 million, but $215 million of that went to the school system.
Before it can be approved, the proposed Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal 2007-12 is expected to be reviewed by a number of Citizen Advisory Commissions prior to a public hearing being planned for late May. The County Board will hold a work session on the proposal at 4:30 p.m. May 25 in County Hall.
Projects Requiring supplemental funds
» Fire Station No. 3
» Westover Library
» Current approved Neighborhood Conservation projects
» Lee Center site work
» Trades Center
