Aug 9th 2023 | Posted in Mary Scott Nabers' Insights, Opportunities by Mary Scott Nabers

City and county budgets for 2024 are either approved or about to be approved throughout the country. Analyzing the planned expenditures for upcoming projects provides interesting insight into upcoming contracting opportunities of all types.

Construction projects are usually tagged with the highest cost projections. But that broad category also includes more than just construction expertise. Planning, design, engineering, technology, professional services, landscaping and security are included in construction projects.

Successful contracting firms know the importance of relationship building before solicitations are released, so the following examples reveal a bit about what some cities and counties are planning to launch over the next year.

SF city hall

San Francisco City Hall. Courtesy of San Francisco.

In early August, San Francisco, California, passed the city and county budget which totaled $29 billion for the next two fiscal years. This represents both city expenditures and county expenditures, and it is divided evenly into $14.6 billion for 2023–2024 and $14.6 billion for 2024–2025.

Each year, officials in San Francisco pass the budget around the end of July or the beginning of August. Once approved, it represents planned expenditures for the next two years.

This year, there are many components to consider. Federal funds, for instance, that flowed into the state during COVID provided abundant revenue for critical projects. Now, however, the reality that the funding will soon come to an end is somewhat staggering. The new budget includes $451 million for capital improvement projects, but not all of that is allocated for 2023. Another city document, the city’s Capital Plan, outlines projects that carry a cumulative projected cost of $24 billion.

A quick look at the categories of the plan reveals that infrastructure comprises a major chunk of upcoming projects with $7 billion in spending allocated for infrastructure over the next five years. The Plan provides additional details on ongoing infrastructure maintenance programs as well as specific capital projects, such as the Market Street redevelopment project. Phase 2 of that project will add a new turn-around loop for street cars along McAllister Street and Charles Brenham Place, which will help increase the flow of ride-share vehicles transporting passengers to the busiest section of the area. The second stage of this effort will represent millions in capital investment, and it will launch sometime in 2024.

City officials in Kansas City, Missouri, approved their newest budget which totals more than $2 billion. To support municipal goals, citizens also approved a $175 million bond package which will be consolidated with $800 million which is already available. The funding is allocated to support projects that will improve numerous city facilities. Some of the projects will include enhancing the city’s park facilities and community centers. Affordable housing and neighborhood conservation project improvements are planned as well as significant upgrades to several public areas and shared community spaces. The city will invest in walkable sidewalks, trail flood control projects, and repairs on the Kansas City Convention Center.

County budgets sometimes exceed city budgets and one of the largest counties in the country is Prince George County in Maryland. The county’s new 2024 budget has been approved and it outlines $5.4 billion in planned spending. The county has earmarked $72 million for the Department of Public Works and Transportation which is an increase of more than $26 million compared to last year’s allotment. A five-year Capital Improvement Plan describes $1.7 billion for 52 projects which will be spread out over the next several years. One of the planned projects is the replacement of the Livingston Road bridge over Piscataway Creek. Few county budgets equal Prince George County’s budget for 2024, but many counties have plans for extremely large project launches over the next several years.

Maui County officials in Hawaii have approved a $1.07 billion budget for the county’s fiscal year 2024, which began July 1. The largest number of planned projects will fall under the supervision of the Department of Public Works, and none have yet been launched. The county’s capital budget totals $181.4 million. It outlines a countywide bridge and drainage repair program and a recycled water system expansion. The region’s War Memorial Gym is scheduled for repair and improvements, the Lahaina Civic Center will be rehabilitated, the Kula Agricultural Park will be enhanced and there will be countywide road surfacing.

Officials in Clearwater, Florida, plan to oversee the construction of a new City Hall and renovation of the existing Municipal Services Building. The 2024 budget is 9% larger, and it allocates $724 million in planned spending. A new combined police and fire training center is planned for the city of Lexington, Kentucky. A new City Hall and a new Senior Center and therapeutic recreation facility are also planned.

Montgomery County Commissioners in Tennessee have approved a 2024 budget that outlines plans to spend $62.5 million on capital projects. A new facility for the Highway Department will be constructed along with a new Animal Control Center. The Clarksville-Montgomery School System will also receive funding for repairs and upgrades to several schools.

As President and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., Mary Scott Nabers has decades of experience working in the public-private sector. A well-recognized expert in the P3 and government contracting fields, she is often asked to share her industry insights with top publications and through professional speaking engagements.