The Soldotna City Council approved the City’s fiscal year 2025 capital budget last week, including $575,000 in appropriations for capital projects. The projects target preventative maintenance for city streets and the Soldotna Police Department Building, improvements to the stage at Soldotna Creek Park, and the first phase of improvements at Memorial Park.
Capital projects are established to help maintain or improve an existing City asset or fund new construction and/or purchases. According to the memo attached to the ordinance, “Project costs may include professional services, construction, equipment, and other contracted services needed to complete [a] project.”
The largest portion of capital project funds will go to preventative maintenance for city streets. $400,000 was designated for updating street plans and street rehabilitation, such as asphalt seal coating, crack filling, and partial depth repair.
The police department building’s exterior needs general maintenance. $100,000 will be spent on cleaning, new caulking, and painting exterior surfaces, as well as maintenance of doors, trim, soffit, and stucco.
With the increased popularity of events at Soldotna Creek Park, including stage performances, the stage will receive approximately $40,000 worth of improvements. According to the ordinance documentation, the money will go toward general “stage improvements,” as well as the installation of a rain cover, speakers, a lighting controller, and light poles.
Also, $35,000 was designated for kiosks, maps, and comprehensive wayfinding signage at the cemetery for public navigation at Memorial Park. This is the first phase of planned improvement for the park.
According to the ordinance memo, “The recommended projects address transportation, facility repairs, and park investments. This year’s capital budget is modest and is weighted towards maintenance efforts.”
If additional projects become necessary, they can be funded by the Council through a midyear appropriating ordinance.