[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6277478,"mediaKeyId","2654366-660bb650cb1af7d371065754ea945c96","parentId",2654366,"title","Cary budget workshop flags capital needs: roads PCI slipping, Well 14 loan boosts water spending, parking fund steady","audioSeconds",167,"startMs",1434000,"endMs",1601000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2654366-660bb650cb1af7d371065754ea945c96&start=1434&end=1601","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2654366-660bb650cb1af7d371065754ea945c96/thumbnail_1434000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6277478/Cary/McHenry-County/Illinois/Cary-budget-workshop-flags-capital-needs-roads-PCI-slipping-Well-14-loan-boosts-water-spending-parking-fund-steady","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277478-d286fca593d43783b681cba9667c1869/orig.mp4?Expires=1774994784&Signature=KBh2btOV5K5-D0HkOS2yT2DWILaYKhnbRUmiAeVXXW3ThUR5D5JakOnDL1RetW8t3zW4-9tNItAkiUH~RLyEygT9okf7wYec41QTohqNpU9lx2v1RJZJDohKKAvYP8hn7X0KDVHK2BZjHKsMNL8lUCzs2nNs0GAuwTwnU6U2bhbMPMyI4yPmalIP4QmBTxbvddjon3OIOkMlnwlbWvcSV~OUe8MFiU6jSoBtsLwpAUZWmaJcOvhuEOPKTzLTi5OAEvy9sg3AyXZ~QW3Izv-H0dyCLUh1wm82uxpHPY8C9aw5znoSalQiMCnigp6YBVoavSW8lZHHVWH7XKfxqB2jkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Cary, IL","date","2025-03-12T17:14:06Z","article","At the March 15 workshop, Cary staff highlighted several capital and infrastructure pressures: roadway conditions are deteriorating relative to the village target, planned water projects (including Well 14) will increase enterprise expenditures in FY26 and the capital program contains more needs than available funding.

Roads: The village’s pavement condition index (PCI) target is 70 or better. Staff reported a current average PCI just above 62 and said roughly 39 percent of village roads are in poor or worse condition. With current Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funding of about $720,000 a year, the presentation showed the PCI would decline over the coming years absent new funding. Director Noonan told the board the five-year road program is constrained by MFT allocations and that maintaining a satisfactory pavement network will require additional revenue sources.

Water and sanitation: Staff showed water and sewer revenues of about $11.3 million against projected expenditures of about $16.6 million for FY26, driven largely by the Well 14 project. That project is proposed to be financed with an Illinois EPA low-interest loan and some loan forgiveness; staff included a planned water/sewer rate increase of about 5.9 percent in the FY26 proposal. Director Noonan and water staff noted the village’s rates remain competitive with neighboring utilities but that the larger capital work will raise near-term enterprise expenditures.

Capital projects, grants and matches: Staff presented a five-year project list with roughly $65 million in possible projects but only about $38 million in projected funding across funds and grants. Several projects are tied to grant timelines that require local matching funds; staff warned that without available capital-match dollars the village could forfeit grant opportunities. Trustee discussion emphasized that many streetscape and plaza projects are grant-funded but still require local matches that must be budgeted.

Parking fund: The commuter parking fund was presented as largely stable since COVID; FY26 maintenance costs were shown at roughly $122,000, covering striping, minor asphalt repairs, signage, lighting, depot maintenance and energy for security cameras. Staff noted some underused permit parking areas and said they will examine reconfiguring permits to better serve current commuter demand.

Ending: Staff summarized that while the village is in a strong fiscal position overall, key capital funds are constrained; staff will return with more detailed project phasing, grant-match requirements and options for stabilizing capital funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03.15.2025 Special Village Board Budget Workshop #2","oneSentenceSummary","Staff showed the village’s pavement condition index below the target, summarized a long capital wish list that exceeds projected funding, and described water projects and water/sewer rate changes tied to the Well 14 project and an IEPA loan application. The commuter parking fund is stable but small.","taxTitle","Cary, McHenry County, Illinois","taxId",70300,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6277483,"Cary warns vehicle and equipment fund may hit zero; plow truck and wood chipper purchases deferred",229,1690000,1919000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2654366-660bb650cb1af7d371065754ea945c96&start=1690&end=1919","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2654366-660bb650cb1af7d371065754ea945c96/thumbnail_1690000.jpg","/articles/6277483/Cary/McHenry-County/Illinois/Cary-warns-vehicle-and-equipment-fund-may-hit-zero-plow-truck-and-wood-chipper-purchases-deferred","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277483-a540397555cd4abf22ca3a9f32d2ae6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774994784&Signature=LSyZsB89NmSAJBvm34XvudLnRp9VkE5NYwRCAUkqo4rHEMYCKASgN5GhdHYsGr8XsQBLb~nZ-YlA4jOsfQuFolo0miUADxKPLb~9fiS26-FEYSGFgiHDt13HO63XORrHmVM5WaB1an4BI3P5oTX5Ti3jzzRlVZlC6hY3uX~~sQgTYGiwoZSHIhiXd43v-hmtEA30GpxJzRSXAmnTfOefdbqZZsFrQf1LzI0bMIuBBP~FnbbSXPtyzDANl3JlDoC3CqGtWgFSWNn0Mx0u0ChQkKOSacZ90taY~9~G0qOs-Z45izvIQNVygduVbxqUZw-9DkDDBUQHi~ZisJm0mWbQYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village staff told the Cary board during the March 15 budget workshop that the vehicle and equipment fund is expected to be depleted at the end of FY26 unless a new revenue source is identified.

Administrator Morimoto and public works leadership said the village’s equipment-replacement program has relied historically on a mix of dedicated impact fees and fund balances. Those mining-related impact fees that once supported vehicle purchases have ceased, and staff forecast the vehicle and equipment fund reaching a zero balance in FY26. The proposed FY26 vehicle/equipment expenditures in the presentation total about $381,000; staff said an additional heavy-plow truck would cost roughly $320,000 in today’s dollars and that a replacement wood chipper is estimated between $125,000 and $175,000.

Because of the projected shortfall, staff said they are temporarily deferring the additional heavy-plow truck and the wood chipper order until a funding plan is identified. Administrator Morimoto told trustees: “we are deferring those requests, temporarily.” Public works staff also said the chipper is used frequently — multiple days per week depending on storm activity — and that rental is an operational option but does not address recurring operational needs.

Why it matters: Equipment such as plow trucks and wood chippers are critical to winter operations, storm response and routine tree-trimming work. Staff noted delivery lead times for heavy equipment can be long and prices continue to rise, so delays in purchasing may increase future costs and lead times.

Board discussion and options: Trustees and staff discussed funding strategies, including using unassigned general fund balance, seeking grant matches where eligible and the possible revenue option discussed elsewhere in the workshop — a local non-home-rule 1% general sales tax — which staff estimated could generate roughly $750,000 annually and be allocated to capital and equipment. No formal action was taken at the workshop; trustees asked staff to bring back options for sustainable vehicle and equipment funding.

Ending: Staff will prepare funding options and timetables so the board can consider the trade-offs between using reserve balances, delaying purchases, or establishing a dedicated revenue source for equipment replacement.","Staff told trustees the vehicle and equipment fund faces exhaustion at the end of FY26. Routine replacement requests — including a heavy plow truck and a wood chipper — were deferred and staff asked the board for guidance on funding options, such as a non-home-rule sales tax.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6277488,"Cary staff presents balanced FY2025-26 budget and asks board whether to continue local grocery tax",2709,1995000,4704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2654366-660bb650cb1af7d371065754ea945c96&start=1995&end=4704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2654366-660bb650cb1af7d371065754ea945c96/thumbnail_1995000.jpg","/articles/6277488/Cary/McHenry-County/Illinois/Cary-staff-presents-balanced-FY2025-26-budget-and-asks-board-whether-to-continue-local-grocery-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277488-a1a7ee1fc48aadbe3b29afe269443664/orig.mp4?Expires=1774994784&Signature=JVkpinDPM0Dc6j~CSPWEC91ytdniLs9fDCHqDbeXoEPc3opDld418I5Mc5EgIWMxslBEF3jhGf4zcLY1o1ENDONKuxFG2mwlu9hQRlB3irbsA3Va5Fcvj-G8Q1MWrDJl8CJAOyR3YW0lvtpMQyDAOwZrVONW8iVn7YYZRhVqKrUMQMPwaekiBjGpdt0dNcKo8PmiI-8Pvk68k0oEcGWbGYUDqh6FHa-cjqIbjJ2ejZ6PgMZ67DlsCEmdfINtiVK7YRHye-7Cgh6UZRKLvXBeObJ-VXz6XQp6sI6~ITdtdLwZ5WGnzoe7ftNgh7VOkIBvFd9oUa3JVGSRHVDqIMopCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village of Cary officials presented a balanced fiscal year 2025-26 budget on March 15 and asked the board to give direction on whether to continue a local grocery tax after state changes eliminate the existing grocery tax on Jan. 1, 2026.

The question matters because staff estimated the state action would reduce Cary’s annual revenues by roughly $600,000, and the village is accounting for about $200,000 of that reduction in its FY26 projections. Administrator Morimoto told trustees the elimination is a “significant impact” and said staff needs direction so it can finalize revenue estimates and capital transfers.

If the board wants the grocery tax to continue as a local levy, staff said the village must act in time to make the Department of Revenue transition seamless; paperwork generally must be in place several months prior to the start of the calendar year. Officials also discussed a separate option: a non-home-rule 1% general sales tax that, if adopted, could produce an estimated $750,000 per year for capital and equipment needs.

Why it matters: Cary’s FY25 projections show an unassigned general fund balance of about $6.3 million (approximately 56 percent of operating expenditures). Staff proposed using part of that balance to keep FY26 balanced while seeking a sustainable revenue source for capital projects and vehicle/equipment replacement. Without replacement revenues, staff warned, transfers to the capital fund will shrink and some capital work would be deferred.

Board feedback: Trustees spoke in favor of keeping the grocery tax in place locally. Trustee Dudek said continued communication to residents will be important; Trustee Stefani and Trustee Weinheimer also voiced support. Trustee Walrath, who was absent, communicated support for both continuing the grocery tax and pursuing the 1% general sales tax. No formal motion or vote was taken during the workshop; staff characterized the exchange as a request for direction rather than an adoption of policy.

Details staff highlighted: the grocery-tax elimination is a recurring, not one-time, revenue loss. Staff said state formulas and reporting make precise forecasting difficult, so the village prefers clarity in advance of the tax’s removal to avoid relying on reserve balances in future years.

What’s next: Staff asked for direction on (1) whether the board wants the village to continue the grocery tax locally and (2) whether to pursue a non-home-rule general sales tax. Trustees signaled informal support at the workshop; staff will return with next steps for board consideration and with timelines for any ordinance or referendum steps required to meet state processing deadlines.

The presentation also reiterated the village’s current budget schedule: a tentative final budget is expected at the board’s first April meeting.

Ending: No ordinance was introduced or adopted at the March 15 workshop. Staff will incorporate board feedback into the formal budget documents and return with detailed options and implementation timelines for any proposed local tax continuation or new sales-tax proposal.","Staff presented a balanced fiscal 2025-26 budget but warned the state’s elimination of the grocery tax will reduce local revenues. Officials asked the board whether to continue the tax locally and whether to pursue a non-home-rule 1% sales tax; trustees expressed informal support but took no formal vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cary budget workshop flags capital needs: roads PCI slipping, Well 14 loan boosts water spending, parking fund steady

Cary warns vehicle and equipment fund may hit zero; plow truck and wood chipper purchases deferred

Cary staff presents balanced FY2025-26 budget and asks board whether to continue local grocery tax