Lake County Public Works presented its proposed 2026–2030 capital improvement program (CIP) to the Public Works and Transportation Committee on Aug. 6, outlining next-year capital requests, funding sources and a multi-year pipeline of preservation, modernization and limited capacity expansion projects.

“While following the guidance and direction of the county board, the department strives to address the needs of the department,” said Mark Borgo, assistant director, Lake County Public Works, introducing the CIP. Borgo said the department touches roughly 40% of the county population through its sewer and water services, and described a planning approach that balances asset preservation, resiliency and modernization.

Britney Albrecht Sloan, engineering supervisor, highlighted current-year work and upcoming projects. Sloan said the department’s enterprise budget for fiscal 2025 totals about $71.3 million, with $21.5 million of enterprise funds directed to the capital program; for fiscal 2026 the department requested $22.4 million in capital starts. Sloan highlighted projects including the Gages Lake 1.25-million-gallon water tower, modernization of SCADA systems, installation of UV disinfection at the Des Plaines River water reclamation facility, clarifier covers at New Century Town facility and Oak Terrace wellhouse interconnection (the latter advanced with ARPA funds and expected to be substantially complete later this year).

Borgo and Sloan emphasized ongoing funding from enterprise revenue, ARPA funds and some congressionally directed funding that made projects such as the Dady and Decker water main replacement possible. On future projects they described a five-year pipeline and identified types of triggers that move projects forward: asset age/lifecycle, regulatory changes, system studies and operator needs. “There are multiple issues that bring projects to the front,” Borgo said.

Committee members pressed for details on specific topics. Member Hunter asked that the county consider prioritizing smart-meter upgrades for meters larger than 6 inches (used by schools and large customers) because those meters require annual recalibration. Sloan said the department is studying smart water meters and anticipates a pilot program. Member Roberts asked about the Mill Creek facility’s construction date and later thanked staff for the clarity of the presentation. Member Hunter also noted that the Antioch Township sewer expansion study (funded by ARPA study money) remains a long-term, complex effort; he said a full buildout could eventually cost about $145,000,000, and the study is expected to be complete by 2026.

Other topics covered: force-main replacement on Rollins Road identified as an emergent needs project; replacement/rehabilitation at significant pumping stations in Vernon Hills; coordination and potential shared costs where utility relocations overlap Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) roadway work; and a department plan to stabilize the shoreline at the East Main Pumping Station along Manitou Creek. Mcfarland announced a public tour of the Mill Creek facility targeted for Sept. 12 at 9 a.m.

On water quality, Director Austin Mcfarland said the department publishes an annual consumer confidence report with IEPA-required analytical test results for each of its 12 drinking-water systems and that a PFAS study by Donna Yoo and Associates will be presented to the committee next month. Mcfarland said nonregulatory testing results are also posted online.

Committee members praised the presentation’s narrative approach and the board’s recent emphasis on capital planning. The department did not propose immediate rate changes during the presentation; most project funding discussed comes from enterprise revenues, ARPA allocations or external grants, and many future items remain at the study or planning stage.