Assignment3

Assignment: Capital Improvement Plan

A capital improvement plan is a long-term spending plan that focuses on high-cost, nonroutine purchases. The plan typically identifies immediate and existing capital projects, and assesses future capital needs over several fiscal years. A needs assessment is critical in the creation of a capital improvement plan. Showing high- and low-priority capital needs pinpoints the most pressing expenditures. Additionally, identifying positive benefits in previous capital projects allows for justification for new capital projects.

To prepare for this assignment:

• Review Chapter 4 in your course text, The Basics of Public Budgeting and Financial Management, and consider questions you might ask when justifying expenses related to a capital improvement plan.
• Review the case scenario provided in the Learning Resources and think about the capital improvements needed for the police department profiled in the case.
• Consider the expenditures in the plan and whether or not they are justified and beneficial.
• Focus on matters such as legal mandates, hazards, legislative or executive goals, efficiency, standards of service, economic development, new services, quality-of-life issues, and convenience issues.
• Consider at least one way to fund the capital improvement plan without using general funds.

The assignment (2 pages):

• Develop a new capital improvement plan for the case scenario provided. In your plan include the following:
  • Prioritize capital improvement needs and identify the fiscal year in which they each should be funded (FY 1–5).
  • Write a project description justifying expenditures in the plan and explain why they are beneficial.
  • Identify one of the following in your justification: legal mandates, hazards, legislative or executive goals, efficiency, standards of service, economic development, new services, quality-of-life issues, and convenience issues.
  • Explain at least one way to fund the capital improvement plan without using general funds.