Algonquin considers $16 million in capital improvements

Roadway reconstruction, water and sewer improvements, and creek stabilization are among several infrastructure projects Algonquin expects to fund during the next fiscal year.

In the first phase of the 2016-17 budget planning process, staff members are recommending the village allot more than $16 million to capital improvement projects - double what was budgeted for capital projects this fiscal year, which ends May 1, and quadruple the $4 million spent in 2013-14, according to village documents.

"It's quite a bit more spending," Assistant Village Manager Mike Kumbera said. "We have the funding in place, so we're starting to implement some long-term plans."

The village has been accumulating funds for capital improvement projects for years, allowing officials to plan ahead and get "a little more bang for our buck," Kumbera said.

Roughly $11.4 million in street improvement funds are expected to be spent on major road and drainage repairs, Kumbera said. Those projects include the reconstruction of Highland Avenue and Stonegate Street, the restoration of Woods Creek, and improvements to Cumberland Parkway and other streets in the Copper Oaks subdivision.

About $1.7 million is expected to go toward the stabilization of Surrey Lane Creek, which is "eroding pretty significantly," Kumbera said. Additionally, street improvement funds will be used for the first engineering phase of a downtown streetscape plan, according to village documents. Village officials hope to use the streetscape plan as a blueprint for future redevelopment in the downtown commercial district, which includes Route 31, Main Street, Harrison Street and parts of Jefferson and Washington streets.

Algonquin officials also anticipate spending about $2.6 million on water, sewer and electrical improvements; $1.8 million in motor fuel tax revenue for more road construction; and $653,000 on park improvement projects, such as the completion of an upgrade to Snapper Field Park.

There is a public hearing March 15 and the village board is expected to vote on the proposed budget April 5. So far, Kumbera said, trustees appear to be on board with the major capital projects.

"It's a big investment in infrastructure, but we don't want to fall behind on that," Kumbera said. "We want to help serve the community for years to come."