Mundelein's new $62 million budget includes cash for road repairs and other projects
Road repairs, facility improvements and downtown beautification efforts are set to receive funding in Mundelein's new $62 million municipal budget.
The installation of energy-saving LED streetlights in town will continue, too.
The village board approved the annual budget Monday night without objection. The 2023 fiscal year begins May 1.
The budget predicts nearly 9% more spending than the 2022 fiscal year's roughly $57 million plan.
Money for a variety of facility improvements and equipment purchases is included in the budget.
For example, officials expect to spend about $200,000 on new LED streetlights in the 2023 fiscal year.
Mundelein began installing LED streetlights in 2016. Proponents say they use less energy and generally last longer than traditional high-pressure sodium bulbs. They also can reduce light pollution, because the light from LED lamps is more focused than traditional streetlights.
Additionally, a new roof at the satellite fire station on Route 45 could cost $100,000. Building upgrades at village hall are expected to cost $55,000, too, documents indicate.
Elsewhere, $50,000 is set aside for downtown beautification.
Mundelein's roads will get some attention in the new fiscal year, too.
Segments of Park Street, Morris Avenue and other streets in the downtown area will be reconstructed over the next year, documents indicate.
Stretches of four streets near Diamond Lake - Crane, Ridge and Oakdale avenues and South Street - will be improved. So will parts of Arbour Court, Greenwood Avenue and Wildwood Avenue, all on the north side of town.
Village Administrator Eric Guenther attributed the increase in overall projected spending to a planned $2 million bump in funding for street improvements. About $5.6 million will be set aside for such projects, up from $3.6 million.
The budget for road projects is increasing because of revenue from a new municipal tax on natural gas and electricity. The taxes - 3% on each service this year - were approved by the village board last year and began being assessed in January.
The tax rates will rise to about 4% in 2023 and to 5% in 2024, and then stay at that level.
The two taxes are expected to generate more than $1.1 million for Mundelein this year, more than $1.5 million in 2023 and $1.9 million in 2024.
Overall, officials predict they'll collect $59 million from taxes, fees and other sources in the new fiscal year, up from about $52 million. That's a roughly 13.5% increase.
Sales tax revenue is expected to be particularly strong, Guenther said.
"In fact, this is the first year in history that our sales taxes revenue exceeded revenues collected in property taxes," he said.