DuPage County finance committee frees $3.25 million in 2024 surplus for quarry, campus flood work and museum repairs

The DuPage County Finance Committee on June 10 gave unanimous direction to release $3,250,000 in 2024 surplus funds to three capital projects: stormwater repairs at the Elmhurst Quarry, campus flood-mitigation and parking-deck improvements, and capital repairs at the County Historical Museum in Wheaton.

Committee Chair Garcia said the board had previously approved the three allocations but had directed staff to hold off on spending until after June 1. Nick (finance staff) briefed the committee that no spending had occurred pending the meeting and recommended moving forward.

The largest single allocation is $1,500,000 for stormwater work at the Elmhurst Quarry. At the committee meeting, Chair Zay and stormwater staff warned the committee that engineering work has identified more extensive deterioration of quarry walls and other conditions that are likely to require additional funding beyond the $1.5 million. “We have substantial more damage than we thought through the engineering,” Chair Zay said. She and staff said the work will likely be staged across two budget years and that stormwater will be seeking further funds in future budgets.

The committee also approved $1,500,000 to facilities management for campus flood-mitigation projects, which staff said would primarily address flood protection for multiple buildings and related immediate needs. Facilities staff said the longer-term capital need for campus projects remains larger than the $1.5 million being released now.

A third allocation — $250,000 — will support capital repairs at the DuPage County Historical Museum in downtown Wheaton. Nick told the committee the funding would go first to the most urgent safety items, including deteriorated entry steps that pose a hazard to visitors; the Wheaton Park District, which occupies and helps operate the museum, will contribute 10% toward the project, staff said.

Committee members emphasized that these are capital or maintenance projects the county owns and is obliged to keep safe. Vice Chair Cahill and others said failing to act would only increase future costs and risks. After discussion, Chair Garcia asked for a show of hands; the committee indicated unanimous support to release the funds and proceed with the projects.

Committee staff noted that while the $3.25 million will be released, larger design and construction phases — particularly at the quarry and on campus flood controls — will require additional board consideration and possible future funding. Nick told the committee staff expect to continue work on design and bidding this year and will return with cost updates as projects move forward.

The committee’s action was procedural direction to free previously approved surplus allocations; formal contracting and project design will proceed under normal procurement and capital project processes.