The Town of Newburgh Town Council on Oct. 14 approved a revised breakdown of bond-funded capital projects and authorized staff to apply for the 2025 CCMG grant for the Plum Street project, a multi-utility drainage and road reconstruction effort that officials say requires additional town funding.

Deputy Town Manager Andrea Baboni told the council staff had analyzed the town’s $4,084,142 original bond balance, the projects already allocated (about $3,000,500), and soft costs (approximately $740,000), and concluded the town would face a shortfall unless it reallocated funds. "We're roughly gonna need about an additional $700,000 to make that project work," Baboni said, referring to Plum Street.

The council’s action follows staff presentations of three reallocation options intended to keep Plum Street as the next CCMG project while limiting the town’s contingency shortfall. Town Engineer Drew Blaney described the Plum Street scope as complex because "every single utility in that corridor has to relocate" and said the project ties to safety and chronic flooding that has affected properties in the area.

Why it matters: the town learned its CCMG award level changed from $1.5 million in prior cycles to $1.0 million for this round, increasing the local match required for projects previously scoped under an expectation of higher grant funding. Council members and staff said that change, and a delay in an easement needed to finalize Plum Street design, are the primary drivers behind the reconfiguration of projects.

What the council approved: by roll call the council adopted a modified bond breakdown that removes street lights from a historic-signs-and-lights project, retains paid historic street signs but reduces the allocation for installation, trims scope on Ellerbusch Road phase 1 (removing sidewalks and a proposed commercial drive entrance), and reallocates bond dollars to increase the Plum Street allocation.

Key figures staff presented at the meeting included:
- Original bond balance: $4,084,142 (as shown in council materials).
- Previously allocated projects and soft costs: roughly $3,000,500 allocated; soft costs estimated around $740,000.
- Estimated additional need for Plum Street: about $700,000 to reach a comfortable budget given utility relocations and likely cost growth.
- Proposed reallocation (motion language reflected numbers discussed in the meeting): $70,000 for historic street signs (including installation), $600,000 for Ellerbusch (phase 1 with sidewalks and commercial drive removed), $500,000 for Gray Street, $1,200,000 for Plum Street, and $550,000 for Lou Dennis Park. Staff said that configuration would leave an overall contingency of roughly $19,000–$20,000 for the listed projects.

Discussion highlights and constraints: council members and staff emphasized trade-offs. Baboni and Blaney presented three options that differ mainly on whether to keep Ellerbusch sidewalks and commercial drive or to remove Gray Street from this bond round. Blaney flagged substantial stormwater and subgrade issues on Gray Street (notably at Cypress) that raise costs if the town attempts the entire corridor in one phase. Council members repeatedly noted that projects regularly run over budget and that the town must set priorities. One council member said removing the decorative street lights and the proposed commercial drive were immediate savings measures; staff confirmed the signs themselves had already been purchased (about $40,000) and that an additional roughly $20,000 was being requested for installation.

Formal votes and next steps: after discussion the council voted to adopt the modified bond breakdown and then voted to submit the CCMG application for Plum Street, authorizing Council President Stacy Krieger to be the town’s signatory for the application. Staff said the Nebraska/State DOT (NDOT) requires a signed resolution to accompany some grant applications and that a resolution could be prepared and signed by Oct. 20 to meet application timing. The council also approved a financial commitment letter for Lou Dennis Park to advance a REDD grant application; staff said the town would increase its commitment amount slightly as a cushion for rising costs.

The council directed staff to finalize the grant application materials, prepare the signatory resolution for signature, and move forward with the contract and budgeting adjustments necessary to submit on schedule. Staff cautioned the council that Plum Street’s schedule depends on utility coordination, easement acquisition, and the final CCMG award amount, and that some projects (for example, Ellerbusch phase 2) may be more appropriate for later bond rounds.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion to adopt modified bond breakdown reallocating funds per staff’s Option A (remove street lights, trim Ellerbusch phase 1 scope, increase Plum Street allocation to $1,200,000, etc.): Passed by roll call (Steve Schumacher — yes; Paul Perry — yes; Stacy Krieger — yes; Anne Rosteron — yes; Lianne Kay Hughes — yes).
- Motion to apply for 2025 CCMG funding for the Plum Street project and authorize Council President Stacy Krieger as the town’s authorized signatory for the application: Motion carried (unanimous voice vote); staff to prepare a formal resolution for signature by Oct. 20 to satisfy NDOT/agency requirements.
- Motion to approve a financial commitment letter for Lou Dennis Park (REDD grant): Motion carried (unanimous voice vote).

Background and context: Plum Street has been on the town’s capital list and, according to staff, was nearly ready for a prior CCMG cycle but was delayed by an unapproved easement and now requires more extensive utility work than originally estimated. Ellerbusch and Gray Street have been recurring priorities in prior meetings; council members and staff described Ellerbusch as structurally deteriorated and Gray Street as a community-safety priority near Newburgh Elementary School, but both carry stormwater and survey complexities that raise costs.

What to watch next: staff will submit the CCMG application with the council-authorized signatory and finalize the NDOT/resolution paperwork by Oct. 20. The projects’ ultimate scope and schedule remain contingent on the CCMG award amount, the town’s ability to secure necessary easements and utility relocations, and any additional outside grants staff may pursue.