WASHINGTON COUNTY APPROVED BUDGET
FY 2026
funding would be required), if there is proposed self-supporting funds, or if significant outside funding sources are available.
9. Operating Budget Impact: Cost/Benefit – This criterion reflects the other costs relative to the proposed project, including operation and maintenance, start-up costs, and personnel as well as cost savings and potential revenues generated by the completed project. 10. Preservation of Facility – This criterion measures the possible effect of deferring the project, such as complete replacement of facility or equipment, major repair, normal repair costs if not replaced or added cost for new facility.
11. Project Life – This criterion is used to rank the project based on life expectancy and projected maintenance cost. A higher value is placed on longer-term infrastructure assets.
12. Economic Impact – This criterion measures the impact such as property value, future tax base, added jobs, income to citizens, changes in business income, and stabilization of neighborhoods. Such impacts may apply more to capital projects related to growth and expansion than to infrastructure maintenance, although deteriorating structures can adversely affect business. 13. Recreational, Cultural or Aesthetic Value – A catch-all criteria for other significant quality-of-life related impacts that include community appearance, recreational opportunities, and cultural improvements.
14. Percent of Population Benefiting – Estimates the number of persons likely to be affected by the project and nature of the impact.
After the projects are scored and weighted using the above criteria, the projects are then categorized based on the score into Priority 1 through Priority 5. The priority category definitions are as follows:
Priority 1 Projects needed to comply with a court order or legislative mandate, and/or projects that are critical to the health, safety, and general welfare of County citizens.
Priority 2 Projects essential to the general welfare of the community, operating or maintaining of a physical facility, but not critical relative to other projects.
Priority 3 Projects that provide a public operational improvement or are important in relation to County financial capabilities, needs, or other program requirements.
Priority 4 Projects that provide for necessary maintenance or replacement, but where deferral will not result in significantly increased cost to the County.
Priority 5 Projects that conflict with the master plan and/or projects for which there are concerns related to serious need, cost, justification, or timing.
After all proposed projects are prioritized using these criteria, the CIP committee: (1) reviews the project ranking report for reasonableness; (2) checks for any projects that appear out of order; (3) determines if there are any linkages between projects; (4) evaluates if there are any advantages to having projects done
2026 Budget Document
44
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs