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A question we're often asked is "How does a capital project get added to the Capital Improvement Plan?" When you boil it down, projects are identified from 3 main sources: Strategic plans, operational and major maintenance needs, and community input.​ Strategic plans analyze portfolios of existing infrastructure, its condition, location, and any gaps in service provision. These plans often include data-driven recommendations for new infrastructure or replacement of existing infrastructure. Example strategic plans that have been used to identify projects on the CIP include the Airport Capital Improvement Plan, Local Roads Safety Plan, and the Green Streets Clean Water Plan.​ Operational & major maintenance needs play the largest role in project identification. Staff continually assess the condition of facilities, such as roads, bridges, and storm drains to evaluate safety and wear and tear on the infrastructure. Assets are evaluated and ranked to determine the most pressing needs. ​ And community input is used to identify and prioritize projects for implementation. Input is gathered directly from community members or from established committees such as the 28 Community Planning and Sponsor Groups, whose purpose is to make recommendations to County decision makers. Engaging community members is a top priority for DPW and we plan to continue reaching out to the public on an ongoing basis to collect valuable input from the diverse range of voices and perspectives in our unincorporated communities.​ ​ ​