10062026 COW - 5-Year Capital Plan

The Bethlehem City Council Committee of the Whole met on October 7, 2026, to review the proposed 2027–2031 non-utility Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Administration described the five-year plan as a flexible planning document: only the 2027 year will be considered for approval through the upcoming capital-budget process, and changing the CIP requires an affirmative vote of five council members. No vote or contract award occurred at this meeting. The 2027 capital budget is scheduled for first reading on November 17 and final reading on December 15, 2026. Funding plans include about $430,000 remaining from 2022 bond proceeds, roughly $2.5 million from 2024 bond proceeds, and approximately $17 million in capital reserves intended to support projects through 2029; funding for later projects, including a potential 2030 bond, remains unresolved. Administration emphasized that many projects depend on grants or other outside funding.

Projects discussed included street and traffic improvements, stormwater work, city facilities, parks and trails, and replacement of public-safety and public-works equipment. The Center Street two-way conversion’s updated estimate is about $3 million, up from roughly $2 million. The congregate emergency shelter project has about $2 million committed by the city and an additional $2.2 million secured from federal and state sources. The Monocacy Way and South Bethlehem Greenway trail projects are expected to proceed toward bidding or construction, subject to schedules and funding; the city is also pursuing state and federal funding for the Hill-to-Hill bridge-related ramp work. Administration said a preferred operator has been selected for the future South Bethlehem Community Center, but provided no name or contract terms. No procurement award or spending motion was reported.