Roselle emphasizes infrastructure in next budget, plus water/sewer bill hikes
Roselle will put a big emphasis on improvements to its roads, and water and sewer lines in the 2022 fiscal year budget - which also comes with an increase in residential water and sewer bills.
The $19.3 million budget proposal - an increase over the roughly $9 million 2021 budget - is currently on file at Roselle Village Hall for residents to view. A public hearing on the proposed budget was held earlier this month, ahead of the village board vote to approve it on Dec. 6. The village's fiscal year is Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2022.
The budget is based on the village's five-year Capital Improvement Plan, which calls for improvements to be made incrementally to the village's infrastructure, including road, stormwater and wastewater projects, water main replacements and municipal building maintenance.
The five-year plan calls for $9.5 million in street improvements, $12 million in stormwater projects, $34 million in wastewater projects, $6.6 million in water main replacement projects, and nearly $2.5 million in municipal building maintenance.
In 2022, the projected expense is $4.3 million - or about 22% of the budget - and will go toward stormwater projects, water main replacement and system improvements, and upgrades to the streets, wastewater treatment plant and collection system.
There is also an additional $304,740 proposed for sidewalk and bike path replacements, reforestation and repairs to part of the Metra Train Station parking lot.
Roselle Mayor David Pileski said the 2022 plans include projects the village had to put off because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that these improvements are necessary given the facilities and infrastructure are more than 20 to 30 years old.
"The village is on very solid financial footing," Pileski said. "We made it through the pandemic, and our strong financial position shows that we're a solid community to be a part of." The rate hikes go into effect Jan. 1.
The water rate in Roselle is expected to rise 20 cents per gallon and the sewer rate will rise 15 cents per gallon. Village officials say the average homeowners' bills will go up $3.24 per month, based on an average of 5,400 gallons of water consumed.
Officials say the increase is necessary to fund improvements to the aging system.
Meanwhile, Roselle is benefiting from a growth in sales tax receipts. Coupled with building permit revenues from the Metro 19, Timberlake and other developments - as well as unfilled vacancies among full- and part-time firefighters and paramedics - the village's general fund now has a budget surplus of $529,000, an increase from $474,000 the previous year.
Sales taxes are expected to increase 5% from the FY 2021 estimated amount.
Village Administrator Jason Bielawski said he hopes that the village can hire additional firefighters by next April.
The budget also includes $1.78 million to replace police vehicles, a fire emergency response engine and staff vehicle, three public works street division dump and snow removal trucks, and three water and wastewater utility division vehicles.
Roselle also plans to use $100,000 from a $3 million American Rescue Plan Fund grant to create a local business COVID-19 recovery program for next year. The village has not yet determined how it will spend the additional money.
Bielawski said Roselle also plans to continue to pursue economic development, like the Metro 19 apartment complex. The $80 million apartment complex is the largest project in Roselle's history and has begun site work earlier this month.
"That project is really wonderful and finally coming together," Bielawski said.