The City of Issaquah hosted four of its advisory boards—the Environmental Board, Equity Board, Park Board and Transportation Advisory Board—to provide input on the criteria for projects in the 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) during a summit at Blakely Hall on Thursday, Feb. 16.
According to the city, the CIP contains valuable information concerning Issaquah’s planned infrastructure investments—from roads to parks—over a six-year time frame. Project design, land acquisition, construction costs and the projected means of financing are integral components of this plan.
“It’s just a blueprint, not an actual budget,” said Robert Hamud, chief financial officer for the city. “…The plan is subject to change. It’s really a living document.”
Hamud says the six-year plan is reauthorized by Issaquah City Council every two years. Most recently, council adopted the CIP for 2022-2027 in June 2021.
Andrea Snyder, deputy city administrator, said city staff recognized the desire for board members to have a clearer role in the CIP process following the 2021 discussions. The Advisory Boards Summit was held as an opportunity for board members to create realistic goals around the criteria of the plan.
Next, the Committee of the Whole (COW) will meet to finalize goals and outcomes for the CIP. In March, the boards will finalize the updated criteria and city staff will submit proposals for potential projects. The individual boards will convene in April to see the draft CIP.
