PITTSBORO, NC— On November 3, 2025, the Chatham County Manager’s Office presented the proposed Capital Improvement Plan/Program (CIP) covering fiscal years 2027-2033 to the Board of Commissioners. The seven-year CIP is updated every year as a process to plan for and fund major capital needs costing more than $100,000.

A public hearing on the proposed CIP is scheduled for Monday, November 17th at 6:00 p.m. as part of the Board of Commissioners Regular Session at the Chatham County Historic Courthouse in Pittsboro.

To view the entire proposed CIP, individuals may visit the County website at www.chathamcountync.gov/CIP. On the website noted above, selecting the “Digital Document” link will take individuals to the County’s interactive digital CIP document. A PDF version of the document is also available for those who prefer that format or wish to print the document.

The following new projects are recommended in the proposed CIP:

Schools
HVAC Upgrades: Upgrade and replace outdated and inefficient HVAC systems across school facilities based on a facility MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) assessment, with work beginning in FY2031 [+$14,471,886]. This project is expected to span 10 years (FY31-FY41), beyond the 7-year CIP schedule. The total project is estimated to cost $63,646,528.
Roofing Replacement/Repair: Repair and replace roofs across school facilities based on a completed roofing assessment, with work beginning in FY2027. [+$4,998,318] This project is expected to span 9 years (FY27-FY36), beyond the 7-year CIP schedule. Its total cost is estimated at $27,795,306. The project is scheduled to begin in FY2027.

Elections
Voting Machine Equipment: Replace existing voting machine equipment with updated models compliant with the latest federal Voluntary Voting System Guidelines (VVSG 2.0) standards. Funding recommended for FY2032, allowing setup and training prior to a general election cycle in FY2033 (calendar year 2032). [+$675,811]

Technology
Courtroom 2A & 3B CRAVE A/V System Upgrade: Two projects to upgrade audio/visual (A/V) systems in courtrooms 2A [+$163,907] and 3B [+$176,851] at the Justice Center.
Justice Center and Historic Courthouse Camera System Replacement: Replace current analog cameras with a modern digital camera system and transition from multiple DVRs to a centralized network storage solution. [+$600,000]

The proposed CIP also includes recommended revisions to projects already in the current CIP, based on changing needs or conditions:

Schools
HVAC Installation at Existing Gyms: Due to ARPA grant funding, this project has been moved up two years from FY2028 to FY2026. Completion is expected by December 2026 (FY2027), compliant with the ARPA grant expenditure deadline.
Margaret Pollard Expansion: Due to lower than projected enrollment growth, this project has been pushed back two years to FY2029; Scheduled completion during FY2030.
Paving Repair: This is a long-term project intended to extend beyond the 7-year FY2027-2033 CIP to address paving repair needs over time. The budget for this project has increased with the addition of FY2033 in the CIP schedule for prioritized paving projects. [+$939,219]
Wastewater Replacement at Silk Hope School: This project is recommended for redesignation as a future project as the result of an inability to purchase additional adjacent land required for the wastewater system.
Mobile Classrooms: Due to lower than projected enrollment growth, this project has been pushed back to FY2029 and is now scheduled to be completed during FY2032.
New Elementary School at Chatham Park (Northern Village): Due to lower than projected enrollment growth, this project has been pushed back one year to FY2028 and is now scheduled to be completed during FY2031.

County Buildings/Facilities
Agriculture & Conference Center: During the November 19, 2024, CIP Work Session, the Board of Commissioners directed staff to amend this project’s timeline to begin design work in FY2026. The project’s budget was reduced due to expected cost savings from starting the project earlier. [-$556,817]
Siler City Center for Active Living Renovations: The budget for this project has increased to include an enclosed front-covered entrance and a contract alternate for additional office space in the building. [+$201,340]

Parks
Northeast District Park Dam: The budget for this project has increased due to the estimated construction cost required to remove and rebuild the existing dam, and to create a temporary access road and staging area for contractors to access the pond where the dam is located. [+544,074]
Trails - 15/501 and 64 River Access Restrooms: This project is recommended for removal from the CIP as the county cannot place a restroom at either location – prohibited by NCDOT right-of-way regulation and recent flood events have made the sites unsuitable for a vault-style restroom. [-300,000]

Utilities
Remove the following projects due to the utility merger with the City of Sanford/TriRiver Water.
Looping Watermain Hatley Road [-$3,391,000]
Looping Watermain Renaissance Drive [-$1,419,000]

Residents may sign up in advance to speak at the November 17th public hearing on the CIP, by completing the online forms for public input or public hearings. Following public input, Commissioners will hold a Work Session on November 18th beginning at 9:00 a.m. to review the plan in detail. The goal is to adopt the CIP at the December 15th Regular Session.