Grants help East Dundee pay for improvements

Areas in East Dundee prone to flooding and a number of crumbling streets will undergo much-needed repairs this year, all without dipping into the village's waning general fund.

The village has received about $1.1 million in grants since the beginning of the year toward roadway improvements and stormwater mitigation to prevent flooding in low-lying areas.

Other grants will pay for improved lighting in the village's parking lots, as well as a transportation study with the Regional Transportation Authority, Village Administrator Frank Koehler said.

"Over the years we would receive $25,000 for sewer lining or improvements to the Depot," Koehler said. "But these are certainly significant amounts of funding. Our road program is usually $150,000 to $160,000, but we will be able to do almost $600,000 in repairs this year. That is a huge savings to our general fund."

Projects slated for completion include fixes to Barrington Avenue, Third Street and Water Street, Koehler said.

In all, the village has received $650,000 in state funding for road repairs; a $300,000 stormwater mitigation grant from the state capital plan; as well as an $80,000 Regional Transportation Authority grant.

The funding is a shot in the arm for the village's revenues that have dipped to about $3.5 million due largely to declining sales and property taxes.

"When you are talking about almost one-third of the village's budget coming from grant money, that makes a world of difference," Trustee Jeff Lynam said. "These projects would not get done and we would just be keeping our heads above water. The grants meant all of the difference in the financial health of the village."