FirmoGraphs keeps its clients up to date on capital plans of interest for long-term business development. We help our customers use this information to gain a competitive advantage and improve proactive conversations with their clients. We recently processed the latest capital spending plan by the city of Santa Rosa, California. Here are our observations.
Santa Rosa’s planned capital program grew from $89.9 million to $148.7 million (a 66% increase), with project lines rising from 68 to 96 compared to the prior plan. The lift is concentrated on Santa Rosa Water and steady investment in Transportation & Public Works. 2026 shows the largest single-year ramp in project dollars, then tapers across 2027–2030. Top projects in the new plan are wastewater treatment and conveyance upgrades centered on the Laguna Treatment Plant and critical sewer mains. The table below breaks down Santa Rosa’s planned capital spending by business area for its last two CIPs
*Numbers are Rounded
Top 3 Projects by Value (2026-2030 CIP)
1. Laguna Treatment Plant Ultraviolet Disinfection Improvements - upgrades to UV disinfection systems at the wastewater treatment plant, amounting to $9,165,088.
2. SM Replace: Alderbrook Ln and Denton Way - replacement of 235 ft of aged/deteriorated sewer mains and appurtenances, amounting to $7,217,000.
3. Llano Trunk Rehabilitation Phase 2 - rehabilitation of 7,400 linear feet of trunk sewer to extend useful life and reduce risk, amounting to $7,052,747.
City of Santa Rosa CIP Development and Approval Process
- Five-year CIP framework. Santa Rosa keeps a rolling five-year CIP identifying needed public-facility improvements, schedules, and funding sources.
- Public budget cycle. Each year, the City holds a public hearing on budget priorities; April–May study sessions review the Operations & Maintenance, CIP budget, and other items, before Council action.
- Planning Commission – General Plan consistency (Gov. Code 65401). State law requires Planning Commissions to review public projects in the CIP for consistency with the General Plan; Santa Rosa’s Planning Commission does this annually via resolution.
- City Council adoption. Council adopts the annual budget, including the Capital Improvement Program budget, via resolution (example: FY 2024–2025).
- General Plan guidance. The General Plan guides funding for public improvements like streets and parks; Santa Rosa adopted an updated General Plan 2050 in 2025.
Sources: City of Santa Rosa – Capital Improvement Program - https://www.srcity.org/690/Capital-Improvement-Program; City of Santa Rosa - Budget Information - https://www.srcity.org/800/Budget-Information; City of Santa Rosa – General Plan - https://www.srcity.org/392/General-Plan
Spending Trends and Insights
Santa Rosa’s capital spending shows a strong upward trend, with major investments concentrated in 2026, reflecting a surge in infrastructure and water system projects. Funding levels then gradually decrease through 2027–2030, as projects move from construction to completion. Overall, the city’s plan demonstrates a strategic focus on early, high-impact improvements followed by steady reinvestment across subsequent yearsHistory of City of Santa Rosa, California
Founded in 1833 as a small settlement along Santa Rosa Creek, the city grew rapidly after the arrival of the railroad in the 1870s, becoming the commercial heart of Sonoma County. It was incorporated in 1868 and later known for its wine industry, fertile valleys, and cultural heritage. Today, Santa Rosa blends historic charm with innovation as the largest city in California’s North Bay region.
Sources: City of Santa Rosa History Online – https://www.srcity.org/323/History
Fun Facts about City of Santa Rosa, California
- Home of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz — Santa Rosa hosts the Charles M. Schulz Museum & Research Center, dedicated to the beloved Peanuts comic strip and its creator, who lived in the city for over 30 years.
- Wine Country’s rail gateway — The SMART commuter rail connects Santa Rosa to Marin County and San Francisco Bay ferries, making it a vital link for residents and visitors exploring Northern California’s Wine Country.
- City of parks and open spaces — With more than 70 parks and 6,000 acres of natural areas, including the scenic Howarth Park and Trione-Annadel State Park, Santa Rosa is known as one of the greenest mid-sized cities in California.
How FirmoGraphs Can Help
FirmoGraphs curates data about U.S. public sector markets, including transportation improvement programs, regulatory developments, and other critical information. We help our customers use this information to gain a competitive advantage and improve proactive conversations with their clients. We’d be glad to meet with you and help your company sort through the wealth of information in improvement programs and other publicly available documents. Feel free to request a meeting and review the data live on our Business Intelligence platform.
