Jackson board directs staff to advance 2026 capital plan after debate over Eagle Drive, wastewater and fire equipment

The Village of Jackson board on June 10 directed staff to proceed with capital project planning for a draft 2026 budget after an extended discussion about street, utility, park and public-safety projects.

Administrator Heitke said the packet before the board was “an update to our capital improvement plan,” and proposed moving the Eagle Drive reconstruction from 2027 into 2026 while delaying a larger Hasmer Lake Park construction project so staff can pursue grant funding.

The move matters because shifting projects changes potential borrowing and levy impacts and because several projects discussed carry six-figure price tags or rely on outside funding. Heitke told the board staff will determine funding sources — including debt, grants and special assessments — during the budget process and that final funding ability remains to be determined.

Most of the evening’s debate focused on Eagle Drive, a corridor stretching between a new roundabout at Highway 60 and Hickory Lane. Jack Strahler, director of public works, told the board, “The Eagle Drive construction project is slated for approximately 2,200,000.0, which will include the full bridal reconstruction, drainage ditching, and a proposed 5 foot paved shoulder with street lights.” He added the village is proposing to add a sidewalk concurrent with the road work; adding sidewalk with the road project carries a proposed $150,000 cost plus land acquisition, while building the sidewalk as a stand-alone project was estimated at roughly $350,000 plus land.

Board members pressed for details on curb and gutter, storm sewer connections and right-of-way needs. Strahler said the road is currently rural and “it probably could be left as drainage with a culvert,” but that curb and gutter and storm sewer could be considered. Trustees asked staff to develop cost options for a full urban reconstruction (curb and gutter, storm sewer and sidewalk) as well as a lower-cost option with a single-side sidewalk and retained 5-foot shoulders. Heitke directed engineering work to be sized to allow design for a possible fully reconstructed curb-and-gutter section so the village would be ready if the board decides later to pursue that scope.

The board discussed special assessments for sidewalks and potential negotiations with property owners, including the possibility of the village accepting property for right-of-way in exchange for reduced or waived assessments. Strahler noted some land on the east side of Eagle Drive is already village-owned, but “there would need to be land acquired from the Ace Hardware store as well as the Piggly Wiggly” for a continuous sidewalk alignment.

Utility projects were also highlighted. Strahler and Heitke reviewed wastewater items slated for 2026, including a large wastewater treatment plant upgrade. Strahler said a prior CIP projected roughly $5.3 million for the 2026 wastewater upgrades; after refining estimates with the village’s consultant, “that project is now estimated to be approximately 4,000,000,” about $1.3 million below the earlier figure. He also reported the 2025 wastewater project should finish in June–mid July and come in roughly $500,000 under the original $5.7 million budget.

Parks and other items were discussed but largely deferred or rephased. Heitke said the Hasmer Lake Park development project — previously shown in the plan at about $3 million — is being moved later in the schedule so staff can pursue Department of Natural Resources grant funding; staff are targeting up to 80% grant funding with a 20% local match. The board also reviewed smaller multi-year replacement lines: rooftop HVAC allocations, picnic tables at Jackson Park (a $17,000 item in year 3 of 3), and staged replacement of splash-park equipment ($20,000 in year 1 of a four-year schedule).

Equipment and vehicle replacements drew several questions. Trustees debated replacing multiple mowers this year; staff reported the village has four mowers in inventory (two assigned to streets and parks, two assigned to the wastewater utility), and some machines are approaching the end of their useful lives. Trustees suggested phasing replacements to reduce near-term cash pressure. On public-safety vehicles, Fire Department representatives flagged ambulance monitor and AED replacements and raised a request to accelerate replacement of a tender (water tanker). The board questioned that tender request — one trustee said replacing a tender at the quoted $525,000 for “probably somewhere between 5 to 10 calls per year” was difficult to justify and suggested refurbishment instead — and the tender request was put on hold for future consideration.

Heitke and staff said they would coordinate with Ehlers (the village’s financial advisor) to test funding scenarios, including use of cash, debt, user fees, impact fees and special assessments, and would size engineering contracts based on the potential project scope. Strahler said he would bring an engineering proposal for Eagle Drive to the Board of Public Works next month.

Following discussion, Trustee Heckendorf moved and Trustee Kripke seconded a motion “to direct staff to proceed with the capital project planning as proposed with the amendments for the purpose of creating a draft 2026 budget capital project plan for review by the board at the August meeting.” The motion carried on voice vote; the board directed staff to return a draft capital project plan and related cost options during the upcoming budget cycle.

The board’s direction does not appropriate funds; specific project funding, scope and timing will be set through the 2026 budget and any subsequent ordinances or resolutions.