Moving from complexity to viability.

There is no such thing as a simple capital improvement project. RPI Consulting understands the intricacies of planning and financing, building and maintaining, plus gaining alignment among stakeholders.

We start with a comprehensive budgetary analysis that takes into account day-to-day operations and the cost of maintaining and replacing existing assets. Our review also includes a capital facilities and infrastructure inventory that spans all town funds, current value estimates, depreciation schedules and insurance.

After identifying these ongoing costs, we find opportunities to secure funding, possibly through impact fees or new rate structures. Because many capital improvements are too expensive to finance solely through town revenues, we leverage local funds with loans and grants available through state and federal agencies.

The result is a comprehensive capital improvements phasing and implementation plan that is prioritized according to the town’s fiscal realities.

Past Projects:
Gunnison County, CO; Ouray County, CO; Town of Lake City, CO; Towns of Nucla and Naturita, CO

CASE STUDIES

We have extensive experience working in rural communities that struggle with the boom and bust cycles of the natural resources economy. Nucla and Naturita are small Colorado mining communities two hours from larger towns. The area faces the eventual shutdown of the Nucla Power Station, now that well-publicized plans to develop a new uranium-processing mill are on hold indefinitely.

RPI Consulting provided economic development strategy, capital facilities planning, feasibility and financing strategies and project prioritization. Key county, state and public service partners were part of the economic development plan all along. The communities were implementing the plan and leveraging funding weeks after the draft was complete, beginning with a business development center and regular funding to support existing entrepreneurial pursuits.

Services provided:

  • Economic Development Strategy
  • Capital Facilities Planning
  • Benchmarking and Appropriate Level of Service Determinations
  • Feasibility Study
  • Budget Analysis and Financing Strategies

Town of Lake City, Colorado
This comprehensive capital improvements plan includes phasing and financing for incremental replacement of wastewater, plus water and storm drainage infrastructure. We worked closely with the town’s engineer to tie the financing strategy to cost estimates and logical phasing. The plan also details parks improvements, street upgrades, maintenance, funding strategies and town buildings.

Services provided:

  • Capital Improvements Plan
  • Financing and Funding Strategies
  • Phasing and Implementation Plan