Overview

October 27
12PM PT, 3PM ET

Register

Most agencies are still relying on spreadsheets or ERP workarounds to make capital planning decisions—but those tools weren’t built for the complexity of long-term infrastructure planning. Without the right tools and structure in place early on, it’s easy for priorities to drift, resources to be misallocated, and projects to stall. That’s why getting planning right from the very beginning is so critical.

With limited staff, growing demands, and high-stakes funding decisions, it’s more important than ever to start with a clear, strategic foundation—so you can evaluate project ideas, allocate resources, and build a capital plan that holds up under scrutiny.

Join Government Technology and Aurigo Software for a live webinar focused on the front-end of capital planning—where project ideas are collected, scored, and shaped into a multiyear plan that’s both fundable and executable. You’ll see how public agencies are using structured frameworks and scenario modeling to build capital plans that are ready for funding, approval, and delivery.

What you’ll learn:

  • How to apply consistent, transparent scoring to project proposals: See how your agency can capture ideas in a centralized system and evaluate them using criteria like community impact, funding availability, and risk exposure.
  • How to use AI-powered scenario planning to weigh trade-offs: Quickly model and compare multiple capital plan scenarios—based on different budget constraints, timelines, or strategic goals—without relying on manual updates.
  • How to build a capital plan that’s ready when funding is: See why getting planning right from the start is critical and how agencies are using purpose-built tools to tie long-term priorities to budgets, timelines, and execution from day one.

Speakers

Michael Tooley headshot

Michael Tooley

Senior Director, Industry Strategy, Aurigo Software

Mike Tooley is a former Director of the Montana Department of Transportation, serving in that role for eight years. Mike was appointed by Governor Steve Bullock in 2012 and he served in that role until the end of Governor Bullock’s term in 2020. He was the 2017-18 WASHTO President, a member of the AASHTO Executive Committee, and the Chair of the AASHTO Committee on Safety. Mike came to the DOT after more than 28 years in law enforcement. After a number of promotions, he became Chief of the Montana Highway Patrol in 2009. Mike remained there until he received the call to move to the DOT at the end of 2012. A major initiative during his time at the DOT was modernization of DOT internal infrastructure to not only improve safety, but efficiency and effectiveness. Education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety Administration from Grand Canyon University. Mike also completed Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Mike is a former Navy Corpsman for the US Naval Reserve force and has provided medical support in the field as well as the Naval Hospital in Bremerton, WA.

Harry Black headshot

Harry Black

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Harry is a seasoned executive with extensive leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. He has served as city manager, Chief administrative officer, chief financial officer, program manager, and chief procurement officer, consistently driving organizational transformation through best practices and outcome-based strategies. A pioneer in performance management, Black has developed and implemented data-driven programs that enhance transparency, accountability, and service delivery. His integrated approach incorporates data analytics, lean techniques, smart technologies, and citistat programs to optimize government performance. In public financial management, Black has led major municipal finance efforts, overseeing more than $5 billion in bond transactions, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and short-term banknotes. He has successfully represented multiple municipalities before rating agencies, securing bond rating and outlook upgrades. His leadership has helped cities resolve structural budget deficits, strengthen reserves, and implement healthcare and pension reforms. Black has also played a critical role in capital program development and execution. As program manager of a $500 million federal design and construction initiative, he oversaw the development of academic, medical, recreational, and vocational training facilities across the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. He has introduced innovative debt financing solutions, enabling cities to expand infrastructure investments, including road improvements, fleet upgrades, new schools, and community facilities. An accomplished author and speaker, Black has published works on economic development, pension and healthcare reform, and performance management. He has delivered presentations on police-community relations, infrastructure development, public procurement, and long-term financial planning. Black holds a BS in Public Administration from Virginia State University, an MA in Public Administration from the University of Virginia, and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Virginia State University.

Justin Marlowe headshot

Justin Marlowe — Moderator

Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Government

Justin Marlowe is a research professor at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. His research and teaching are focused on public finance, and he has published five books — including the first open-access textbook on public financial management — and more than 100 articles on public capital markets, infrastructure finance, financial disclosure, public financial technology, and public-private partnerships. He is an admitted expert witness in federal and state courts, and has served on technical advisory bodies for the state of Washington, the California State Auditor, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, the National Academy of Sciences, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and many other public, private and nonprofit organizations. Prior to academia, he worked in local government in Michigan. He is a Certified Government Financial Manager and an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and he holds a Ph.D. in political science and public administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

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