MORGANTOWN – As part of its budgeting process, the city of Morgantown has laid out a five-year $58.5 million capital improvement plan for fiscal years 2027-2031.
The plan is designed to be both a roadmap and commitment for the city to future investments in infrastructure, facilities and essential public services.
“The purpose of the capital escrow fund and the five-year plan is to work together as the city’s financial framework for planning, financing and executing our major capital projects,” Finance Director Jon Furgison said.
The plan not only anticipates one-time expenditures for major facilities projects – for example $2.5 million for improvements to the Morgantown Public Safety Building (2028, 2029); $8 million for the airport runway extension project (2028-2031); and $6 million for a new Fire Station 1 (2028, 2029) – it also includes annual investments in things like streets and paving ($6.4 million), and vehicles for the various city departments.
Over the life of the plan, the city will invest a combined total north of $4.4 million in its fire engine replacement program, fire ladder truck replacement program and the leasing of other MFD vehicles.
Furgison said the $58.5 million plan represents “a significant and sustainable commitment to public infrastructure and community services.”
Funding sources for the projects, equipment and facilities listed includes all or portions of the city’s $3 weekly user fee (Safe Streets & Safe Community Fee); the city’s municipal sales tax, and business & occupation taxes on major construction projects ($5 million+).
“And then finally, we have, and I’m going to emphasize this, the potential, not guaranteed, but the potential long-term debt financing. City administration will be evaluating the potential issuance of a new multi-facility bond to support the priority capital projects,” Furgison said. “It’s important to note that this option is in the early stages of exploration and will require additional analysis, due diligence and planning before anything is brought to council with any sort of consideration when it comes to additional long-term financing.”
Should the city move forward with bond financing, it will be the second time in recent years it’s gone that route to finance facility upgrades.
In February 2022, Morgantown City Council conveyed ownership of city hall, the public works garage and the Norwood fire station to the Morgantown Building Commission in exchange for the issuance of up to $7 million in lease revenue bonds.
The capital improvement plan anticipates annual capital improvement expenditures of $5,104,846 (2027); $16,747,232 (2028); $17,660,232 (2029); $10,103,758 (2030) and $8,810,500 (2031).
