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Itasca approves nearly $1 million in bills; board hears water system gains and key construction updates
Summary
Trustees approved $987,446.73 in bills covering a $311,000 payment for Ardmore and Baker water main replacement, a $74,000 electric aggregation invoice and two weeks of payroll; public works reported unaccounted water down to 6% for the month and 8.6% four‑month average after meter replacements and leak detection
The Village of Itasca Board on Sept. 2 approved the payment of bills totaling $987,446.73 and received updates on active infrastructure projects and water‑system performance.
Trustee Powers presented the payment register and highlighted two large items: a payment to Morrow Sewer Construction (the third pay application for the Ardmore and Baker Streets water main replacement project) for approximately $311,000 (net of the village's 10% retention), and a Dynegy invoice for electric services of about $74,000, reflecting the village’s new electric aggregation billing. Two weeks of payroll were reported at roughly $324,000. The total record of bills for the two‑week period was $987,446.73; the board approved the record by roll call.
In department reports, public works staff reported unaccounted for (unbilled/lost) water of 6% for the past month and a four‑month average of 8.6%, down from highs that once exceeded 20% five years earlier. Staff credited meter change‑outs, leak detection, water main replacements and improved billing practices (including implementation of a new utility billing system) for the gains. Trustees noted the Illinois Department of Natural Resources 10% benchmark and the fiscal benefit of reducing billed losses because the village pays for water purchases from the DuPage Water Commission even when water is unbilled.
Construction updates included completion of concrete removal and replacement on Ardmore and Baker, pending final connection in a Route 53 right‑of‑way after an IDOT permit was secured, the 2025 street program starting milling and patching next week, and a preconstruction meeting for the Orchard Street water main replacement with construction expected to begin Sept. 15.
Why it matters: The bill approvals reflect ongoing capital spending on water main projects; the drop in unaccounted‑for water reduces recurring operating losses and can have substantial fiscal impact when billed water purchases are reduced.
The board recorded no additional conditions on payments; project schedules and final closeouts will be handled by public works and brought to future meetings as needed.
