Capital Improvement Committee - August 24, 2026

The City of West Allis Capital Improvement Committee convened on August 24, 2026, to review updates on ongoing projects and discuss the 2027 capital budget. Key procurement-related topics included delays and cost increases in IT infrastructure upgrades, such as server deliveries and network hardware refreshes, as well as the delivery and setup of laptops for the fire department merger. The committee reviewed funding allocations for various capital projects including street repairs, sanitary and storm sewer relays, and public safety equipment replacements like police radios and fire engines. They discussed borrowing limits for street projects, noting the current budget exceeds the charter ordinance limit and proposed an amendment to increase the borrowing cap from $3.75 million to $6.5 million to accommodate inflation and rising construction costs. The committee also addressed grant funding opportunities, including an $800,000 federal grant for dispatch center upgrades and state grants for lead service lateral replacements. After reviewing department requests and funding sources, the committee approved the 2027 capital program budget and related borrowing plans, emphasizing the need to manage rising costs and project delays due to supply chain issues and labor shortages.