Suamico board approves adding East Deerfield resurfacing to TID 1; staff directed to study sewer, lighting

The Suamico Village Board voted 6-0 on July 21 to add resurfacing of the south portion of East Deerfield Avenue to the TID 1 expenditure schedule for 2026, with staff instructed to study potential sewer, water and street‑lighting work for the north end before returning with cost details.

The vote matters because TID 1’s expenditure period is closing and board members said using remaining district funds now could stretch the investment and avoid handing excess dollars to taxing jurisdictions after closure. Trustee Groves moved to add the resurfacing; Trustee Andrews seconded the motion. The roll call recorded aye votes from Trustee Andrews, Trustee Eckert, Trustee McKeefrey, Trustee Grama, Trustee Stevens and President Van Razon.

Public Works Director Smits told the board that pairing the resurfacing with the Deerfield Court construction would add volume to one contract and generally produce better pricing. "The village is planning to use TID 1 funds in 2026 to support the construction of Deerfield Court," Smits said, and described an outline design/bid schedule that would allow both projects to be bid together this year for construction in 2026.

Smits provided cost estimates: about $531,000 for Deerfield Court (roughly half of which the developer will pay) and about $337,000 to resurface the additional portion of East Deerfield Avenue, bringing the combined project cost the TID would pick up to approximately $602,500. Smits said the joint review board cash‑flow projection showed a fund balance of about $908,576 for TID 1 at the start of 2026; as of June 30 the TID had roughly $627,073 on hand.

Board members pressed for clarity on scope and timing. Trustee Groves and others said bidding the two projects together would provide firm prices and enable the village to spend available TID funds rather than let them be distributed as residuals (a portion of residual TID funds goes to the school district and other taxing jurisdictions). Trustee Groves said the village should "get the whole thing bid out and see where it comes" to avoid overspending yet maximize value.

Directives to staff recorded during the deliberation included: prepare full design and bid documents to pair the south resurfacing with Deerfield Court under a single contract (with part A/part B pricing), produce cost estimates and an option that would add sewer and water for the north end, and evaluate street‑lighting additions for safety (for example, near the Deerfield Court intersection). Smits cautioned that if sewer work were included the village would need approvals from the Department of Natural Resources and other permitting before bidding.

Board discussion also covered longer‑term planning concerns: the sewer currently ends at the north property line of the GAD property (the north limit discussed by staff), and installation further north could be driven later by development of the Davis/Daevister (transcript spelled multiple ways) parcel. Smits said the sewer alignment can reach about midway into the Davis property before grade would require a lift station.

The board did not finalize decisions on adding sewer to the contract; instead it approved the TID expenditure addition for the south resurfacing while directing staff to return with quotes and the consequences of including sewer, water and lighting. The motion passed with a recorded result of 6 to 0.

The board also asked staff to consider options to use remaining TID funds in ways that balance public benefit and the district’s obligations, and to present those options at a future meeting.

Ending: Staff said it will finish design work and return with definitive cost estimates, permitting timelines and bid documents; construction would be scheduled for 2026 if the board proceeds as discussed.