Clearwater is laying out nearly $2.37 billion in capital spending through fiscal 2031-32, with water and sewer work accounting for almost three-quarters of the six-year program.
City Council will consider the plan Sept. 15 alongside a $190.4 million capital budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, the first piece of a program that grows sharply after 2027.
The city plans to spend $62.4 million on water and sewer projects in fiscal 2026-27, followed by $25.8 million on general government work, $25.7 million on cultural and recreation projects and $21.4 million on roads and streets.
Another $15.5 million is budgeted for parking facilities, roughly $14 million for other environmental work and $7.4 million for stormwater and flood protection.
Clearwater would cover that $190.4 million through a mix of operating and enterprise revenue, grants, Penny for Pinellas dollars and road millage collections, along with about $60.7 million in planned borrowing and lease financing.
Most of the growth comes after the first year, when planned capital spending rises from $190.4 million to $391.9 million in fiscal 2027-28 and reaches $461.8 million by fiscal 2029-30.
Water and sewer spending drives that jump, climbing from $62.4 million next year to $261 million in fiscal 2027-28, then topping $330 million the following year and $360 million in both fiscal 2029-30 and fiscal 2030-31.
Across all six years, Clearwater has penciled in nearly $1.72 billion for those systems, or about 73% of the entire capital program.
The rest of the plan spreads hundreds of millions more across city facilities and infrastructure, including about $155.6 million for general government projects, $116.4 million for roads and streets, $99.9 million for stormwater and flood protection and $93.2 million for cultural and recreation work.
Parking facilities add another $43.3 million over six years, while gas utility projects total about $46.7 million.
Council’s vote would formally adopt the $190.4 million fiscal 2026-27 capital budget while establishing the remaining five years as Clearwater’s current project and spending schedule rather than a locked commitment.
The city must revisit the Capital Improvement Program before each fiscal year, hold another public hearing and adopt any additions or changes, while the city manager may shift money between projects only when the transfer does not change a project’s scope or funding source.