WASHINGTON COUNTY APPROVED BUDGET
FY 2026
Planning and feasibility studies that support the acquisition, construction, or improvement of the items listed above (these are not required to meet the useful life test).
Capital assets include land, improvements to land, easements, buildings, building improvements, vehicles, machinery, large equipment, infrastructure, and all other tangible and intangible assets that are used in operations. Assets not meeting the criteria above are budgeted as capital outlay in the Operating Budget.
Capital Project Priority Ranking System
During the review process the CIP committee prioritizes projects based on the County’s broad goals, department priorities, anticipated funding sources, and the priority-ranking matrix. The priority-ranking matrix is composed of 14 scored and weighted criteria, which is the basis for assigning projects into one of the five priority-ranking categories.
The 14 scored and weighted ranking criteria used by Washington County are:
1. Legal Mandates – This criterion assesses the risk with legal issues required by Federal or State statute, court order, or regulation, or a project that moves the County into further compliance with such mandates.
2. Public Health and Safety – This criterion includes health related impacts such as increases in traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths.
3. Environmental Impact – This criterion evaluates the environmental related impact on such items as water quality, flood control, air quality, contamination, etc.
4. Conformity to County Commissioners Goals and Plans – This allows for the evaluation of the project in relationship to the goals and plans of the Commissioners and/or the Comprehensive Plan or other approved plans by the County.
5. Conformity to Agency, Department, and Jurisdictional Plans – This allows for the evaluation of the project in relationship to written plans of County agencies, departments, and jurisdictions.
6. Community Support – This criterion refers to interest group advocacy and/or opposition and conformity to County master and strategic plans.
7. Project Cost – This criterion considers the total cost of constructing or installing the proposed work. The higher the cost, the lower the weight. However, the forced score should not be considered adversely with respect to an individual project as it simply identifies the financial issues within the Capiral Improvement Plan Budget. A project will rank high if warranted by other evaluation criteria when scored if appropriate.
8. Funding – This criterion evaluates available funding sources to be contributed towards the proposed project, taking into consideration if the project is continuing from the prior year (in which
2026 Budget Document
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