Olympian Planning Commission starts a review on CFP 2023-2028 financial plan

Olympia's Planning Commission started its review of the city's proposed budget for public facilities and resources that are part of Olympia's 2023-2028 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP).

The commission's finance subcommittee convened on Tuesday, August 30, to review nine sections in the CFP: parks, transportation, general facility, fire, drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, waste resources, and home fund.

Several other groups are also reviewing the proposed budget.

Joyce Philips, the senior planner with the Olympia Community Planning and Development Department, said other advisory committees are also reviewing the CFP.

• The Utilities Advisory Committee focuses on the utility sections of the plan.
• The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee reviews the transportation portion
• Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee looks at the parks chapter.

Phillips said the role of the Planning Commission is to provide input and help weigh in on the CFP.

"The Planning Commission helps in implementing the comprehensive plan, or what might be missing, or what might be improved in the future," Philips clarified.

At the commission's finance subcommittee meeting, Commissioners Grey Quetin, William Hannah and Zainab Nejati divided the sections of the CFP they would each review.

Quetin, the finance subcommittee chair, will review the transportation, general capital facilities, and waste resources. Tracey Carlos, who was not present in the meeting, will review the home fund, parks, and drinking water. Hannah will look at fire, stormwater, and wastewater, and Nejati will look at drinking water and transportation.

According to Phillips, the next meeting is set for September 12.

"That is where staff from across the city departments have been invited to come and answer questions you may have related to the program chapters,” explained Philips.

A public hearing on the CFP is scheduled for September 19 to be attended by the whole commission. The commission's finance subcommittee will meet again on September 27 for the full commission to review the draft.

Phillips added that the city council would like to have the draft or the comment letters from each advisory committee by October 4.

The city council will hold its first public hearing on October 8.

She added that the city council is not expected to take final action on the CFP until December.