Schaumburg approves capital projects for year ahead

Schaumburg trustees Tuesday approved a $13.9 million capital improvement budget for 2011-12, and capital spending projections for the five budget years beyond that.

Much of this year's projects will be ones subtle to the general public, though motorists should notice and come to appreciate the resurfacing of Springinsguth Road, Village Manager Ken Fritz said.

Several years ago, the village took care of many more noticeable building projects such as a new fire station and public works facility that should remain in good condition for a while, Fritz said.

Approximately $5.4 million in grant funding was a key ingredient in making this year's capital improvement budget as high as it is, he said.

In estimating the years ahead, budget figures for the years ahead generally all are less than the current year's as the scope of projects and the availability of grant funding is less clear cut.

For 2012-13, the capital improvement budget is projected at $6.2 million. It is projected at $6.8 million in 2013-14, $8.9 million in 2014-15, $9.4 million in 2015-16, and $10.6 million in 2016-17.

While projections of future years are helpful in planning, a look back at last year shows how much can change from one year to the next.

For 2010-11, the budget year that will end April 30, trustees last year approved $28.2 million in capital improvements due to a large amount of grant funding. Even so, about $2 million of work was held over to this year, and about $3 million deferred to a future year.

Also last year, the village board estimated only $7.5 million worth of projects in 2011-12 — just slightly more than half of what was actually approved Tuesday night.

Roadways will receive 53.6 percent of this year's funds, storm sewers 15.8 percent, sanitary/water 9.6 percent, sidewalks 7.2 percent, building maintenance 7 percent, enhancements 3.2 percent, bikeways 1.9 percent, traffic signals 1.4 percent and the Schaumburg Regional Airport 0.3 percent.

Schaumburg mayoral candidate Brian Costin objected to several aspects of the capital improvement budget, including the bikeways and public improvements related to the Pleasant Square development near the northwest corner of Schaumburg and Roselle roads.