Title
Accepting the Saint Paul Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) Process Assessment Report Conducted by Wilder Research.
Body
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council Audit Committee, with support from the City Council, engaged Wilder Research to conduct a study aligned with the Committee’s mission “to evaluate the financial and program performance of City departments to build public trust and ensure outstanding service delivery and transparency”; and
WHEREAS, RES 23-1905 authorized the first of two studies conducted by Wilder Research, which focused on identifying efficiencies and opportunities for collaboration, cost sharing, and process improvements within Saint Paul Parks and Recreation and the Saint Paul Public Library; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, the Audit Committee initiated a second study to assess the City’s Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) process; and
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2025, Wilder Research presented preliminary findings and recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness of the community-based CIB process, with a focus on the CIB process, community engagement, and equity in both the process and funding distribution; and
WHEREAS, the Audit Committee accepted the report and, at its April 22, 2025 meeting, voted to refer the findings to the full City Council, including a PowerPoint presentation (Attachment A) and the final report (Attachment B); and
WHEREAS, the report identified key findings across three primary focus areas:
CIB Process
• The shift to separate community and department proposals was meant to increase fairness but has added complexity.
• Applicants experience the process as opaque; they often don’t know who to contact or what happens after submitting.
• Staff cited the need for better alignment between internal funding timelines and public-facing communication.
Community Engagement
• Most participants, including staff, could not identify who is accountable for engagement.
• CIB committee members and district councils are underused and lack clear guidance.
• Outreach typically starts too late, and communication materials are hard to navigate.
Equity & Inclusion
• There is a shared desire to fund projects in underrepresented areas, but the process still favors repeat applicants from more resourced neighborhoods.
• Equity is interpreted in different ways-some view it as equal ward representation, others as need-based investment.
• Data is expected in proposals, but not made accessible or understandable for most applicants; and,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby accepts the Saint Paul Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) Process Assessment Report conducted by Wilder Research in its entirety, and recommends that the findings be shared with the Mayor and relevant City departments.