WHY DO A CAPITAL FACILITY PLAN?
There are good reasons to develop a Capital Facilities Plan.

1.  Capital Facilities Plans are required by State statute.  The specific requirements for the capital facility element are set forth in the Growth Management Act (GMA) (RCW 36.70A.070):

(3) A capital facilities plan element consisting of:

(a) An inventory of existing capital facilities owned by public entities, showing the locations and capacities of the capital facilities;
(b) a forecast of the future needs for such capital facilities;
(c) the proposed locations and capacities of expanded or new capital facilities;
(d) at least a six-year plan that will finance such capital facilities within projected funding capacities and clearly identifies sources of public money for such purposes;
(e) a requirement to reassess the land use element if probable funding falls short of meeting existing needs and to ensure that the land use element, capital facilities plan element, and financing plan within the capital facilities plan element are coordinated and consistent. Park and recreation facilities shall be included in the capital facilities plan element.

In addition to the capital facilities element cited above, GMA also requires a separate element for transportation facilities which has requirements similar to those of the capital facility element but which goes further by requiring specific regulatory measures (known as “concurrency”) to ensure adequate transportation facilities are available to serve new development.  ¹

And an even better reason is...

2. Planning ahead is good management. 

Capital facilities plans can help your jurisdiction use its limited funding wisely and most efficiently – and maximize your funding opportunities.  By planning ahead to determine what your needs are, you can prioritize projects, coordinate related projects, and apply successfully for loan and grant opportunities.

Also...

3. Doing your own plan is an investment in your future. 

A Capital Facilities Plan is easy to maintain once you’ve invested the time in creating it.  Using the CTED templates makes it even easier!

^{1“The Third Promise of the Growth Management Act”, April 2007, Pat Dugan, Dugan Consulting Services, www.mrsc.org/focus/pladvisor/pla0407.aspx}

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