City preps to borrow $5 million for projects
Road repairs, park improvements on tap
March 10, 2010 | 0 comments
The city's Finance Committee next week will continue its deliberations on borrowing more than $5 million to pay for projects to improve Brookfield roads, sewers, parks and other infrastructure this year.
The figure, which includes about $1.5 million for the city's water utility, sits at about $5.19 million right now, slightly lower than the $5.6 million initially approved as part of the overall 2010 budget in November.
Together, all the capital improvements for 2010 - including water utility projects, sanitary sewer projects and general city projects - total $9.64 million, but many of those projects are funded via other sources, such as grants and developer contributions, Finance Director Robert Scott said.
For instance, a $2 million project to replace equipment at the Fox River Water Pollution Control Center will be funded with a federal Clean Water Fund loan and contributions from the other communities served by the wastewater treatment plant, he said.
The city was able to bump down the amount it plans to borrow by making some adjustments to the capital budget as well as shifting unused money borrowed last year against 2010 expenses. For instance, the city has reallocated $250,000 from the Greenway Trail System project funds - a measure approved by the Finance Committee and the council last year - to help pay for $1 million worth of improvements planned at Endicott Park this year.
Other projects include purchasing right of way along Capitol Drive ($750,000) ahead of sidewalk installation that would be part of a state resurfacing project scheduled for 2011 or 2012; replacing the roof at the Wirth Aquatic Center building ($140,000); and $100,000 in additional spending to complete the widening project on the southern section of Calhoun Road.
Still, the capital budget could change before the Common Council approves the 2010 borrowing in May, and some projects have already received criticism.
For instance, a plan to spend $250,000 on pedestrian lighting on the southern section of Moorland Road - the county plans to rebuild the road later this year - drew a rebuke from Alderwoman Lisa Mellone, who said additional lighting in the area south of Interstate 94 would be redundant.
AT A GLANCE
A look at some of the capital improvement projects planned in the city this year:
Greenway Trail System development: $320,000
Emerald Ridge subdivision water mains: $450,000
Brookhill/Pilgrim storm sewer: $525,000
Lilly/Lisbon traffic signals: $750,000
Endicott Park improvements: $750,000
NEXT STEP
WHAT: Finance Committee deliberation on borrowing for 2010 capital improvement projects
WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: City Hall, 2000 N. Calhoun Road
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