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Future Capital Improvements <br />Projected future capital improvement projects can be classified in a number of <br />different ways to reflect the objectives of the comprehensive plan and the reality of <br />funding availability. A central debate revolves around whether or not the community <br />should plan for something if it does not have available resources. One school of <br />thought calls for planning only to realized funding. Another school of thought <br />suggests prioritizing needs (which nearly always exceed resources) and developing a <br />program that can respond to differing financing trends and programs. Establishing a <br />realistic but extended plan that exceeds available resources permits capturing <br />opportunities when new or special funding occasions occur. <br />Many funding sources are competitive and require long term planning and <br />perseverance. It is important to develop a comprehensive strategy that compiles <br />improvement by: 1) investment type (economic, development, parks), 2) priority <br />(immediate to future), 3) funding source (General Obligation Bond, Assessment, <br />etc.), 4) or other management category. The purpose of this comprehensive capital <br />improvement strategy is to continually match changing community objectives with <br />potential funding sources, thus assisting the City in determining priorities. <br />The current list of capital improvements, included as part of the section, does not <br />involve revenue source estimates or specific assistance in non -defined public assistance <br />areas. This allows the City to remain flexible in evaluating multiple potential funding <br />sources and selecting the best solution, given current conditions. <br />These is no absolute answer on the amount of debt that a community should carry, <br />only carefully weighed considerations relating to benchmark levels, community needs <br />and community acceptance. $ 900 to $1200 debt per capita provides a national <br />experience range benchmark. Consideration must also be given to overlapping debt <br />from other jurisdictions. Special assessments for street and water system <br />improvements, properly administered, are self-liquidating through special assessments <br />or service charges. Capital outlays are projected annually over the next 0 to 5 and 5 to <br />10 years. <br />Community Facilities <br />Sometime in the next 10+ years, an expansion of City Hall is anticipated. Depending <br />upon population growth, additional space will probably be needed for city offices and <br />record storage. The parking lot at the City Hall most likely also requires expansion. <br />Transportation <br />Trails <br />Trails have generally been installed as on -road facilities, coordinated with Ramsey <br />County road construction\,reconstruction projects. Expansion of the trail system is, <br />therefore, tied to County maintenance development and road turn -back programs. <br />The City of Gem Lake has partnered with Vadnais Heights to construct some bike <br />trails along County Road E. Additional connecting trails will be added by Gem Lake as <br />conditions and finances allow. <br />SEH 13. implementation I page 69 <br />