REPORT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Review of the Proposed FY 2026/27 and FY 2027/28 Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget for Conformity with the City of Santa Clara 2010-2035 General Plan
Report
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65401and City procedures, the Planning Commission is charged with reviewing the proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget to determine its consistency with the adopted City of Santa Clara 2010-2035 General Plan. The City Council reviews the Planning Commission's findings prior to acting on the budget. The proposed Biennial Capital Budget is scheduled to be presented at two planned City Council Study Sessions in May 2026 with the public hearing scheduled for June 9, 2026. While the draft CIP Budget may undergo some adjustments before the City Council's public hearing, the revisions are expected to be minor and generally consistent with the projects presented in this draft document. If necessary, any significant additions can be subsequently brought before the Planning Commission.
DISCUSSION
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a five-year expenditure plan that guides the City in the planning, scheduling and budgeting of capital investments for its infrastructure and facility needs. The capital projects are aligned to the Adopted City Council Strategic Pillars and the FY 2026/27 Budget Principles. These Budget Principles provide a framework for budget review and development, ensuring fiscal stability by considering both the short and long-term impacts of any funding decisions and include:
1. Make decisions within the context of the City's Code of Ethics and Values, especially being Fiscally Responsible, Communicative, and Service-Oriented.
2. Consider budget decisions with long-term implications taking into account data from the Ten-Year Financial Forecast.
3. To the extent possible, align ongoing expenditures with ongoing revenues to avoid negative impacts on future budgets and maintain the Ci...
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