Infrastructure improvements and maintenance headed the list of the five-year capital improvement plan unveiled at the River Forest Village Board meeting Jan. 27.
In his presentation, Matt Walsh, village administrator, said capital expenditures are estimated to be $33 million over the next five years, $5.3 million of which is expected to be spent in the first year, Fiscal Year 2026, which begins May 1.
Major funding for FY2026 will come from the capital improvement fund, $1.4 million; the water and sewer fund, $1.1 million; and the capital equipment replacement fund, $1 million.
Of the FY2026 capital expenses, $2.4 million will be allocated for streets, sidewalks and alleys and $991,000 for water and sewer improvements.
Unveiling the capital improvement plan is the first step of the budget process. Officials said the plan is generally amended during the budget process as determinations are made for items to be moved forward or to be deferred based on current information.
In April, a budget will be prepared and recommended to the village board, which will take input from residents, if there is any, at a public hearing. The final step in the process will be adoption of the budget, which also is expected in April.
The streets, sidewalks and alleys capital expenses include work on the North Avenue streetscape project, $402,810; the electric charging stations project, $597,392; the Des Plaines River Trail project, $75,000; and the Harlem Avenue viaduct project, $125,000. All four are either partially or fully funded by grants.
Outside of the projects, the streets, sidewalks and alleys expenses include $625,000 for street improvements; $250,000 for sidewalk, curb and gutter maintenance; and $100,000 for the street patching program.
The capital expenses for water and sewer improvements include $230,000 for expenses related to the ongoing lead service line replacement effort, $150,000 for the subsidy program and $80,000 for the inventory and replacement. Other water and sewer expenses include $175,000 for water main replacements; $140,000 for sewer lining; $135,000 for replacing one of three pumps at the pumping station; and $100,000 for work on the stormwater master plan.
Village President Cathy Adduci said she hoped officials are “keeping an eye” on the stormwater master plan.
“I am willing to roll up my sleeves and work with our state legislators to obtain funding we need for this,” she said. “I’m taking this seriously and want to make sure we don’t lose sight of it.”
Other big-ticket items include replacing the 30-year-old backup generator in Village Hall, $350,000; a new aerial truck for public works, $240,000; a new sewer televising system, $150,000; and installing solar panels on the roof of the public works garage, $131,000.
Because of the comparatively low energy consumption levels at the garage, a 55-kilowatt system would result in the facility being net zero, meaning the rooftop solar installation would generate as much energy annually as is consumed by the facility, Seth Jansen, management analyst, said. Because the electricity at the garage is paid through the village’s franchise agreement with ComEd, the monetary savings would be realized through a reduction in the franchise fee appearing on residents’ ComEd bills although Jansen cautioned the savings will not be realized immediately. In addition, installation of the solar panels will help the village achieve EV Readiness gold certification.
After rebates and incentives, the anticipated cost is about $37,000. Staff will seek grant funding to further offset the cost of the project.
Adduci also thanked Walsh and the staff for preparing the capital improvement plan, noting, “I know how difficult this task is.”