Should Batavia borrow money for faster stormwater sewer work?

Batavia might borrow $5 million or more to expedite completion of stormwater drainage projects.

Finance Director Peggy Colby presented a plan to aldermen Tuesday for borrowing $4 million for stormwater work and $1 million to replace windows at the Batavia Government Center.

Aldermen went further, asking about how much work was on the city's list and if it could be done faster if more money was available.

"We need to do it now and get ourselves prepared for what is coming," 1st Ward Alderman Scott Salvati said, speaking of predictions by some scientists that the area may experience more severe storms more frequently than in past years.

Colby said the speed of the work would depend on more than money; time for staff to work on it would be needed. Alderman Dave Brown said the city could contract with an outside engineer to help with the work.

A May 2015 report by a consultant recommended Batavia quadruple its spending on stormwater drainage construction, repairs and maintenance.

The council increased property taxes this year by $300,000, and designated the money for stormwater work.

If the city borrowed $5 million, the owner of a $300,000 house would pay an extra $20 a year in property taxes, Colby estimated, at current interest rates. The debt would be repaid over 20 years.

Recommended projects include separating combined stormwater and sanitary sewers in a part of town west of Batavia Avenue and south of Wilson Street, a project estimated to cost $3.9 million. The city also plans to repair erosion on the banks of the Fox River, especially where stormwater sewer outlets are located. And it is finishing design work for improvements on the east side, especially in Ward 1, that have an estimated price tag of $2.1 million.

Colby was directed to get more information on the costs of borrowing the money.