CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) FAQs
(Answers were provided BY CNHRPC Senior Planner, Stephanie Alexander & Director, Mike Tardiff)
- CIP Timeline
Q: Is there a specific or ideal timeline for the CIP process?
A: Different towns have different timelines but we would be well advised to have the CIP completed by the time departmental budgets are due each year. This depends on a town’s schedule, which varies. In Bradford, the deadline for 2020 budgets is November 1, 2019, so the CIP should be completed by then.
- Regarding minimum CIP project cost
Q: For a town of Bradford’s size, is a 10K minimum for a capital improvement project ideal? What about 5K?
A: Both 5K and 10K have been project minimums for towns of Bradford’s size and either one of these could work. The recommendation is not to go below a 5K minimum.
- Specific to the Library
Q: Do any statutes regarding how Library money is to be spent affect the CIP Committee’s ability to include it in a CIP or not?
A: No, statutes do not affect the CIP Committee’s ability to include library projects in the CIP. The CIP can include library projects if they fall under the definition of a capital improvement project as determined by the town. Some things to consider in this regard are: 1) How much is the project cost? 2) What is the expected “lifespan” of the project? 3) Is the item something that is normally included in the operating budget?
Q: Can the CIP Committee combine certain projects (ex.- paint and carpeting) for purposes of meeting a minimum project requirement?
A: Yes. See considerations listed above when making this decision.
- Specific to Roads
Q: Can the CIP Committee designate actual roads/set aside funds for specific roads to be repaired in a given year?
A: Having an established “Roads Plan” would be helpful in this respect and the CIP Committee can make recommendations for specific roads to be repaired. However (and especially in the absence of a Roads Plan), it is a better use of the process to designate an amount to be set aside for roads in general, as the Select Board usually is a key decision maker with respect to allocating money for specific roads.
- Specific to Allocations of Funds/Projects
Q: Can the CIP Committee allocate or reallocate project funding to different years – for example if unexpected items come up and projects need to be reprioritized?
A: Yes. This is within the scope of CIP Committee authority, as outlined in RSA 674:6.
Q: Can the CIP Committee allocate less funding for a particular item in any given year just to meet an “artificial number”?
A: Essentially all of the numbers in a sense are “artificial”/estimates but are used as a guide based on information available. The committee can recommend allocating less or more for a given project such as roads for example, based on what the forecasted tax impact may be.
- Regarding Town Meeting and CIP Presentation
Q: Can CIP Committee members state/present opinions at annual town meeting about how funds should be allocated for various projects? Are the Select Board and the Budget Committee the only groups the CIP Committee can inform/advise?
A: There are no rules in place that restrict the CIP Committee or members of the committee from presenting information or opinions at town meeting.
- Establishment of CIP:
Q: Was the CIP established by the legislature for towns that did not have a Budget Committee?
A: CNHRPC reps were not aware of any existing evidence that this was the intent but did not provide a definitive answer.
- Active vs. “Passive Role of CIP Committee:
Q: Should the CIP be collecting departmental projects and then submitting them to the Select Board to prioritize (as opposed to the committee)?
A: It is within the scope/role of the CIP Committee to prioritize projects. This is part of its expected role.
- CIP and Budget Committee support
Q: Does the Budget Committee have the ability/authority to vote in support of any given CIP?
A: Yes.
- Presentation of the CIP (to Select Board, Budget Committee and Planning Board)
Q: Must the CIP be presented to the Select Board? What about Budget Committee and Planning Boards?
A: Per RSA 675:8, the plan should be submitted to the Select Board. However, there is no specific rule(s)/mandate for how this must be done, just that it should be submitted. However, the Planning Board must hold a public hearing to adopt the CIP in any given year, and the plan should also be submitted to the Budget Committee.
This document will continue to be updated as new questions are asked.