Capital Budgeting and Planning

Instructor:  Fred Bean

Fred Bean brings rare depth in public-sector leadership, with 23+ years as a Pennsylvania municipal manager and 17 years administering local government health insurance cooperatives. A past APMM president, he instructs for APMM, and the PA Municipal League, and has served as a guest lecturer for ICMA, MCCMA, and DCED. Fred holds degrees from James Madison University and Shippensburg University and completed the National Security Seminar at the US Army War College. Fred retired in 2024 but stays active with ICMA and APMM as an Honorary Member. 

To support meaningful interaction, this session will not be recorded. Your instructor will ask you to turn your camera on and participate in the conversation. Plan to be seen and heard!

Course Description

Where Vision Meets Action—Creating Stronger Communities Through Capital Planning

Capital budgeting is essential to responsible planning and investment in local government. This course provides a clear, practical overview of capital budgeting fundamentals, including how to develop a capital budget, evaluate public projects, and understand why these decisions matter.

Participants will also learn how to access and apply for Pennsylvania‑specific funding programs, such as RACP and LGCPL, and navigate the application process to support successful capital projects.

Ideal for both new and experienced leaders, this course equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to plan, evaluate, and fund capital projects that strengthen communities and ensure fiscal accountability.

Key Topics

• Capital Budgeting Process
• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
• Pennsylvania Specific Programs
• Application Process and Compliance

Who Should Attend

• Finance Officers and Budget Analysts
• Elected Local Officials (Mayors, Council Members, Commissioners)
• Newly elected officials
• Managers/Administrators
• Public Works and Infrastructure Department Heads
• Grant Writers and Project Coordinators

By the end of this course, participants can expect to be able to:

1. Define capital budgeting and its importance in local government
2. Identify key components of a capital budget
3. Access and apply for Pennsylvania-specific programs like RACP and LGCPL
4. Apply capital budgeting techniques to evaluate public projects
5. Navigate the application process for capital project funding in PA

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Registration

• Send a message to lla@pml.org for group rates for 10 or more registrants.
• By registering for this course, you are authorizing the League Learning Academy to forward information to you at your email address related to educational offerings.
• Once your registration is completed, you should receive a confirmation email from The PA Municipal League. It contains the zoom link to the course. If you do not receive an email, check your spam folder.
• Participants must attend the entire 3-hour session to earn a course certificate.

Cancellation & No‑Show Policy

• Cancellations must be submitted in writing at least 72 hours before the class to receive a full refund.
• Cancellations after 72 hours may receive a partial refund, minus a processing fee.
• No‑shows or failure to cancel will forfeit the full registration fee