Proposed Lombard budget calls for $13.5 million in road projects

Motorists in Lombard likely will encounter some delays driving through town in the upcoming year.

Village leaders have drafted a proposed budget that includes $23 million in capital projects. Of that amount, roughly $13.5 million would go toward road projects and related underground work.

Other proposed expenditures for capital projects include $1.4 million for traffic signals and street lights, $3.9 million for water system improvements and $1.4 million for sewer and stormwater projects.

In addition, nearly $3 million is earmarked for facilities maintenance and improvements to village hall, the police and fire stations.

All the capital projects represent just a portion of Lombard's overall $84.9 million spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins June 1.

The proposed budget, which is a balanced, represents a 10 percent increase over this year's total. It predicts a 2.5 percent increase in revenues, Village Manager William Lichter said.

"The village's financial situation is sound," Lichter said.

Village President William Mueller called the proposal "a very good budget."

"We continue our excellent services to our residents," he said.

The budget proposal calls for Lombard to start a red-light photo enforcement program. If that initiative is adopted, cameras will be mounted on certain traffic signals to help catch motorists who disobey red lights, including driving through an intersection after the signal is red or failing to stop completely behind the white line before turning right on red.

Lombard also might initiate a code enforcement administrative adjudication program, in which property code violations would be handled in-house.

Other highlights of the proposed budget include:

• Hiring a few new full-time and part-time employees in various departments.

• Holding a disaster drill sometime during the year.

• Replacing 77 storm-damaged trees.

• Purchasing technology and computer software.

The village board is expected to formally adopt the new budget during its next meeting. Some initiatives within the spending plan will require further board action.