About
The Capital Planning Office (CPO) was established in 2010 to create a more robust, comprehensive and integrated Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that supports the City’s goals and priorities.
CIP Planning
The Capital Planning Office (CPO) aids in the development of the collective Capital Improvement Program from an organizational perspective. CPO works with CIP Departments to assemble identified capital projects needed in the next 10 years or more in an effort to align recommendations of long-range plans, such as the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan,as well as small area plans with the CIP. These capital needs are included in the Long-Range CIP Strategic Plan, which is used in the development of the Five-Year CIP Plan and Capital Budget. CPO also guides strategic planning efforts to identify potential projects that could leverage multiple department or agency resources, or provide additional public benefit.
CIP Coordination
CPO participates in and leads inter-departmental coordination efforts aimed at more strategic and effective capital improvement outcomes. In addition, CPO coordinates with other government agencies on long-range CIP planning initiatives to determine where opportunities for improved alignment of investments exist.
Monitoring and Oversight
CPO provides management and oversight of the City’s voter-approved bond programs. CPO is also the liaison to the Council-appointed Bond Oversight Committee, which oversees the City’s voter-approved bond programs. An important component of CPO’s monitoring role is to provide information on status and progress of the City’s CIP and voter-approved bond programs for the Bond Oversight Committee, City Council and the public.
Communication and Reporting
CPO supports the City’s open government goals by providing information, reports and updates about the Capital Improvement Program, including voter-approved bond programs. CPO also provides public education on how the CIP works through documents such as the Long-Range CIP Strategic Plan and online FAQs. Other communication activity to enhance transparency and awareness about the CIP include the Capital Planning Office News eNewsletter, press releases, participation in various community meetings and maintaining two websites containing information about the CIP: www.austintexas.gov/cip and www.austintexas.gov/CIVIC.