The Village of Wellington will spend just under $22 million in capital improvement projects as part of its budget for fiscal year 2026. The Wellington Village Council heard a presentation on what is included at a CIP workshop held Thursday, Aug. 7.
The CIP money in the budget breaks down to $9.1 million in utility projects, $7.1 million in ongoing programs and $5.4 million in one-time projects.
The largest individual utility projects include $1.7 million for water supply improvements, $3.7 million for the water treatment plant, and $3.6 million for water repump and storage. There is $1.6 million toward the ongoing stormwater pump improvements. Other large, one-time non-utility projects are $1.7 million for a new Public Safety Annex and $1 million for improvements at Wellington Town Center.
Much of Wellington’s capital work has been planned for years. At the workshop, Deputy Village Manager Tanya Quickel noted that the $22 million this year is included as part of a five-year capital improvement plan of $117 million.
“Surface water management is at the forefront of a multi-year stormwater pump station improvement program,” Quickel said. “We have available funding for this of $1 to $1.5 million a year from non-ad valorem assessments.”
She added that the village is aggressively pursuing grants to help pay for these projects. There’s currently $10 million in active grant funding, Quickel noted, bringing the 12-year total to $27 million.
Village Engineer Jonathan Reinsvold went over the various capital projects, including the Pump Station #2 Rehabilitation in southern Wellington, as well as smaller projects at six other pump stations across the village, and the addition of a 10th pump station on the east side of the village.
The multi-year ongoing expansion of the Wellington Environmental Preserve will wrap up in fiscal year 2026 with $750,000 in the budget for additional plantings and trees.
Road and traffic projects include $400,000 for traffic signal improvements and $1.2 million for a roundabout at the main entrance to Village Park. There is also $900,000 in the budget for trail improvements, with a focus on the bridle trail in Section 34 in the southeastern part of Wellington.
There is also money in the budget for the construction of a roundabout at Lake Worth Road and 120th Avenue South. That project was approved in 2024, and full design plans should be completed by this November, with construction beginning next spring.
“We hope to be under construction during summer of next year in order to minimize impacts to the schools and equestrian season,” Reinsvold said.
Capital projects in progress include the new Wellington Aquatics Center, the Wellington Sports Academy, streetscaping on Big Blue Trace, new tennis and padel courts at the Wellington Tennis Center, and the Public Safety Annex, which will serve as a new substation for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
“The sheriff’s station is under design currently, and we will be working through that during fiscal year 2026,” Reinsvold noted.
Construction on the new pool facility is moving forward, with a topping-off ceremony scheduled for the end of August, completion by mid-November and a grand opening in January 2026, Reinsvold said. The Wellington Sports Academy also hopes to be open sometime this fall.
Utility Director Anjuli Panse went over the utility capital projects.
“The replacement and rehabilitation projects we do under this plan are designed to extend the life of our infrastructure as long as possible, which is the most effective way to maintain it in the long run,” she said, adding that the projects will allow the utility to expand with growth and keep up with new regulations.
Major initiatives include the continued replacement of water meters across the village, which is a $4 million program with funding still pending. Panse said that the project will come before the council in more detail later this year. The work at the Water Treatment Plant includes upgrades and expansions to the membrane system.
Utility work includes $1.1 million for expansion of the village’s southern well field.
“Our 10-year plan includes the construction of five new wells between 2025 and 2035. This will provide additional needed capacity for growth,” Panse said.
Council members supported continued, incremental investments into the utility system.
“Making those investments saves us money in the long run,” Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind said.
Councilman John McGovern had questions about the new PBSO substation, which still has unfunded future phases of $15 million. “What is the plan to get us to the end of that?” he asked.
Quickel replied that while design work is in the budget, construction will take place in future years. Some money will likely come from the sale of the 10-acre civic site near the Mall at Wellington Green, she noted. There is also the possibility for some grant funding.
McGovern also wanted to have a more in-depth discussion about what will happen to the land at Wellington Town Center after the new aquatics center opens.
Village Manager Jim Barnes said that discussion will happen in upcoming months. Up first will be a bid process for the demolition of the old pool site, which he expects to begin by the end of the year. One idea is to use some of the existing infrastructure there to have a fountain play area.
McGovern said that he wants to see a heavy focus on green space there.
As for Wellington’s overall budget process, the budgets for the Acme Improvement District, the water/wastewater utility, solid waste and the Saddle Trail Park Neighborhood Improvement District were approved at the council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Looking ahead, the formal budget hearings and adoptions are set for Wednesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 18. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
