Lake Zurich OKs $36 million, five-year improvement plan
Infrastructure work, road upgrades and other projects totaling $36 million are part of Lake Zurich's five-year capital improvement plan.
Assistant Village Manager Roy Witherow said the projects and equipment purchases likely to proceed will be part of the 2015-16 budget starting May 1. The capital improvements listed in the first year of the plan received the highest ranking from administrators who participated in the monthslong process, he said.
Lake Zurich Mayor Thomas Poynton acknowledged recently that not everything on the $36 million list will be accomplished.
"I think the important thing to remember here is that, as it says in the summary, the document should be viewed as a planning tool and a multiyear reference document," Poynton said. "It's a living, breathing, changeable document. And the numbers are best estimates and projections that we have today."
Lake Zurich has 116 potential projects and purchases in the plan. However, just 32 are listed in the tentative 2015-16 budget, at an estimated cost of $6 million.
"The projects were only included in the first year of the plan if funding was available," Witherow said.
Among the possible capital improvements for 2015-16:
• Stormwater collection improvements costing $500,000 at the flood-prone Cedar Creek subdivision near Route 22 and Quentin Road. It would be the first step of an estimated $1.7 million job.
• Resurfacing of village-controlled streets for $1.5 million. It would be part of a $7.5 million project.
• Water main upgrades costing $1 million, with another $2.9 million on tap in future years.
• New village "welcome" signs for $25,000, the first step in an overall $75,000 plan.
• Roof replacement and lobby renovations for a combined $160,000 at the Lake Zurich Park and Recreation Department's headquarters, known as the Barn.
• Purchase of a new ambulance for $240,000.
Trustee Jonathan Sprawka was among the village board members who voted to accept the five-year capital improvement plan. He said the document provides an eye-opening look at Lake Zurich's needs.
"These are long-overdue investments," Sprawka said. "And it's going to be a challenge for us to prioritize them."