Wellington's updated five-year capital plan raises flood work from $2.1 million to $20.7 million and halves traffic calming. The council takes a final vote Tuesday.
Wellington’s five-year list of core public works now puts $20.7 million into flood control. The same line held $2.1 million a year ago. The Village Council takes its final vote on the update Tuesday.
The list is the Capital Improvements Element of the village’s comprehensive plan. Florida law requires every city to review it each year. The council passed this year’s update, Ordinance No. 2026-19, 5-0 on first reading Oct. 13. The second reading is a public hearing at the 6:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday at Village Hall, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd.
The figures below come from the redlined Table CI-1 attached to the ordinance, which strikes out last year’s numbers and underlines the new ones. It covers fiscal 2026-27 through 2030-31.
What changed
The biggest moves:
- Flood control rises nearly tenfold. The Acme Improvement District flood mitigation program goes from $2.1 million to $20.7 million. It now names Pump Station No. 2, drainage work along the C-23 canal and upgrades to stormwater pump stations 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Drainage assessments and grants pay for it.
- Traffic calming is cut almost in half. The Vision Zero program for traffic calming and turn lanes at village intersections drops from $10.3 million to $5.6 million.
- Paths and bike lanes drop too. The line falls from $8.2 million to $4.6 million. It names Greenbriar Boulevard bike lanes and pathways on the C-8 canals.
- The water plant gets one line. Six separate water treatment plant items, worth about $20.3 million together, are replaced by a single $17 million membrane plant master plan. Its funding now includes litigation proceeds as well as utility revenue and capacity fees.
The flood figure lines up with money the council is already moving. On the same Tuesday agenda, the council votes on sending $9.4 million from the K-Park land sale to the Acme stormwater pump stations. We covered that in our K-Park story, along with $2.29 million in PFAS settlement payments set aside for membrane plant upgrades.
The full list
| Project | Last year | Proposed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acme flood mitigation | $2,100,000 | $20,700,000 | Committed |
| Membrane water plant master plan | six lines, $20,303,029 | $17,000,000 | Committed and scheduled |
| Public safety annex | $8,300,000 | $8,300,000 | Planned |
| Traffic calming (Vision Zero) | $10,300,000 | $5,600,000 | Scheduled |
| Multipurpose paths and bike lanes | $8,200,000 | $4,600,000 | Committed |
| Athletic facilities | $3,725,000 | $4,525,000 | Scheduled |
| Big Blue Trace landscaped medians | $3,900,000 | $3,900,000 | Scheduled |
| Equestrian trails | $3,900,000 | $3,700,000 | Committed and scheduled |
| Traffic signal upgrades | $3,600,000 | $2,800,000 | Scheduled |
| Public works and village buildings | $2,500,000 | $2,660,000 | Committed |
| Neighborhood parks and playgrounds | $2,700,000 | $2,250,000 | Committed |
| Communications and technology | $2,700,000 | $2,000,000 | Committed and scheduled |
By our count, the proposed list adds up to $78,035,000.
The table defines its status words. “Committed” means the project is funded now or in next year’s budget. “Scheduled” means funding is set for a later year and the cost estimate is reliable. “Planned” means the cost is a rough estimate and the start date is not certain.
What came off the list
Four projects are struck out of the table entirely:
- the $5 million roundabout at Lake Worth Road and 120th Avenue South
- the $5 million expansion of the Wellington Environmental Preserve, Section 24
- the $2.1 million Tennis Center expansion on Lyons Road
- the $2 million Town Center work on a barrier-free playground and the former aquatics center
The redline does not say why. The Tennis Center opened six new courts in May, as we reported in our story on its national award. A construction contract for the roundabout was on the council’s agendas in March.
The staff memo to the council does not match the table on this point. It still lists the roundabout, the Environmental Preserve trails and the former Aquatics Center among the projects in the update. The table attached to the ordinance is the version the council adopts.
The sheriff’s substation
The $8.3 million public safety annex is unchanged. It covers a needs assessment, planning and design for a combined Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation and Building Department office. The table gives no location yet, and the project is in the “Planned” category, the least certain of the three.
What it means for you
- This is not a tax vote. The list sets out what Wellington plans to build to keep up its service standards. Each project still needs its own contract and budget approval later.
- Flood money has its own source. The table funds the Acme flood work from drainage assessments and grants, not the general revenue that pays for parks and roads. Our property tax page explains what else is on the bill.
- You can speak Tuesday. Ordinance No. 2026-19 is a public hearing, at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall. The agenda and attachments are online.
- School plans ride along. The ordinance also adopts, by reference, the School District of Palm Beach County’s 10-year capital schedule from its 2026-27 budget.
Road projects already under way are on our road construction and closures page.
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