Lake Bluff board clears multiple budget and capital measures, approves generator and window contracts

Lake Bluff — The Village of Lake Bluff Board of Trustees on April 14 approved a series of budget adjustments and capital projects, including a contract for a new emergency generator at the Public Safety Building, authorization to contract for Village Hall window replacements, amendments to the biennial budget and a set of smaller infrastructure and operating items.

The actions, taken largely by voice or roll-call votes, move forward projects the village says address public-safety operations, energy efficiency, stormwater and street infrastructure and routine operating expenditures. Finance Director Bettina O'Connell summarized the budget outlook during a public hearing earlier in the meeting, saying the village's operating budget for FY2026 totals $14,680,000 and that the larger change in the proposed biennial budget is a rise in capital spending to about $9.4 million for FY2026.

Among the board's votes:

- Generator replacement: Trustees approved awarding a contract for a new emergency generator (alternate bid 2) at the Public Safety Building. The generator unit with a standard sound enclosure was listed at $156,200; staff recommended budgeting up to 15% for unit costs and contingency (total up to $179,630). Consultants said the new unit is expected to reduce sound roughly 20 decibels compared with the…