Public Works presents multiyear capital update, highlights IEPA loans, ARPA funding and $9 million facilities shortfall

DuPage County Public Works and Facilities staff on June 3 presented a consolidated capital-projects update to the Public Works Committee, describing ongoing construction, funding sources and timelines for major projects across the county campus.

Staff described a group of large projects tied to a master plan begun about six to seven years ago, including a grit-removal and headworks modernization at the wastewater plant (estimated cost about $21,000,000 and expected online by the end of 2026). Sean, staff member, said the new headworks technology will increase grit removal from about 30% to nearly 95%, reducing downstream wear on plant processes.

An electrical-infrastructure project at Woodridge and the Knowwood facility was described as approximately a $22,000,000 effort to replace main electrical lines, add new switchgear and install four backup generators; staff said the project received a state grant and benefited from IEPA and other low-cost financing. Nick Jensen, staff member, said the county obtained IEPA loans at particularly favorable interest rates—"1.1 and 1.8 percent," as reported to the committee—and that loan terms cited in the presentation are 20 years.

Staff also updated the committee on a list of other capital items: sewer-collection rehabilitation, lift-station rebuilds, water-tower recoating, parking-deck work, sidewalks and campus stormwater improvements. The animal services facility, a $13,500,000 project, was reported on schedule with a ribbon-cutting planned in two weeks. The care center project (three wings) was described as ARPA-funded and expected to complete in June 2026; an East Building construction request was scheduled for a county-board funding request on Aug. 26 with construction to follow and completion projected for August 2027.

Solar and electric-vehicle work was included: bids for a solar contract were due June 5 and staff said the project is "almost exclusively grant funded." Staff said the campus currently has one EV charger and plans for additional level-2 chargers at other county buildings.

Committee members asked about repayment and rate effects of IEPA loans. Nick Jensen said repayment will be covered through utility rates and a mix of pay-as-you-go reserves; staff said the county's long-range plan and an upcoming rate study (mandated every four years) incorporate the debt. "We will not do that [pay off early]," a staff presenter said when asked about loan timing, noting the county expects approximately 20-year loan terms. Staff emphasized that, because projects were financed with low-cost loans and ARPA grants, rates avoided the larger increases that issuing revenue bonds would have required.

Facilities staff said there remains a roughly $9,000,000 funding shortfall for campus facilities (parking decks, stormwater/parking projects) after drawing on available surplus and ARPA funds. Committee members discussed prioritization as federal and state grant opportunities wane and agreed the county should continue planning and setting funds aside for long-term replacements.

Staff said several projects already under way were funded by a mix of IEPA loans, state grants (referenced during the presentation) and ARPA allocations, and that timing had been advantageous for securing low-cost financing.