Proposed policy to strengthen East Dundee facade improvement program

East Dundee trustees are considering adopting a formal policy that would give the village the green light to resume its residential facade program - with some improvements.

Officials previously budgeted $45,000 this fiscal year for the program, which was created as an incentive for homeowners to make exterior upgrades to their properties. Applicants could be awarded up to $5,000 from the village in matching funds for eligible home improvement projects, such as upgrades to windows, siding or front porches.

But the program has been on hold since April when the village board decided its guidelines needed to be refined and its management tightened.

"What we wanted to do was simply just stop it until we could go back and look at the policies we had in place and make those necessary changes," Village President Lael Miller said.

Trustees are expected to vote next week on a formal policy that proposes more specific requirements and restrictions for eligible projects. Roofs, landscaping, new construction or any work not visible from the public right of way, for example, would no longer qualify.

The policy would also outline the application process for residents and the approval process on East Dundee's end, according to village documents. Ineligible participants include village officials and employees, property owners of rental units or homeowners who have received program funding within the past seven years.

Village Administrator Bob Skurla said applications would be reviewed by staff members and ranked based on need. Unlike the past two years, he said, the village board would then be required to approve all projects before the funds are awarded to residents, as requested by trustees.

Trustee Jeff Lynam said he believes the program is a good use of video gambling funds, which are divided among the state, the establishments and their municipalities. East Dundee, on average, receives about $12,000 per month from its 10 gaming locations.

The new policy, if approved, would go into effect in fiscal year 2018, which begins next May, according to village documents.

Skurla said the village board next week will also be asked to release funds for a list of applicants who met the program's former guidelines and had already been approved for the 2017 fiscal year.

"These are all good projects done in good faith," he said. "These are all applicants that said, 'You have a program, I complied with the rules, I would just like to be reimbursed.' I think that's very legitimate."