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Overview | Funding | Developement | Council Involvement
Overview
The capital improvement program (CIP), in the City of Merriam, consists of street improvements, drainage enhancements, park improvements and facility improvements. With capital improvement funds, various projects throughout the city are conceived, designed and constructed.
| Examples of capital improvement projects include: |
| Downtown Enhancements |
| Street Improvements |
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• Curb and gutter construction |
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• Sidewalk construction |
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• Traffic signal installation and coordination |
| Drainage Enhancements |
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• Culverts |
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• Channel improvements |
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• Flood mediation projects |
| Building Improvements |
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• Community center repairs |
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• Public works building |
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• Safety facility/city hall |
| Park Acquisition and Development |
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• Streamway Park trail construction |
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• Parkland amenities |
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• Aquatic center improvements |
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Funding the Capital Improvement Program
There are several sources of funding for the City of Merriam’s Capital Improvement Program. The majority of Merriam’s share of the program costs are financed from sales tax collected within the city. The City dedicates half of all city sales tax and all of the County’s ¼-cent sales tax collected to the Capital Improvement Fund. Additional money is transferred from the General Fund, Transient Guest Tax Fund, Special Highway Fund and Enterprise Zone Fund as needed.
In November 2000, Merriam voters approved two 1/8th-cent sales tax increases. One-eighth cent was dedicated to residential street improvements, and one-eighth cent was dedicated for public enhancements to the Downtown Merriam district. It is estimated that each tax will generate approximately $3 million over the five-year life of the taxes.
The increased revenues will provide funding for several street reconstruction projects throughout the city and the enhancements to Downtown Merriam.
During the last seven years, the City of Merriam has received over $25 million in intergovernmental funding, approximately half of all project costs.
Outside sources of CIP funding include:
• CARS County Assisted Road System
• SMAC Stormwater Management Advisory Council (JoCo)
• KDOT Kansas Department of Transportation
• CDBG Community Development Block Grant
• Federal Highway Funds
• Private Investments (joint projects)
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Developing a Capital Improvement Program
The development process of Capital Improvement Program involves input from various groups within the City of Merriam. The process begins with citizen input. Following suggestions from citizens, city staff recommends appropriate projects to City Council after reviewing project impact and cost. Once reviewed, projects are prioritized by City Council. Council usually reviews the capital improvement program each July as part of the City’s budget process.
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City Council’s Role in the CIP
City Council is the decision making body of the City and approves all project budgets included in the CIP. The Capital Improvement Program is prioritized and authorized by the Council each year.
Once a project is part of the five-year CIP, City Council approves various milestones during the project. These milestone approvals include:
• Selection of engineer or architect
• Review of concept studies and designs
• Approve designs
• Acceptance of construction bid
• Approval of change orders during construction
• Acceptance of certificate of completion
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