Neighborhood Services outlines ECHO pilot, emergency-shelter contingency and new neighborhood registry
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Summary
Neighborhood Services described the ECHO pilot continuation, proposed one‑time funding for an emergency shelter operated by Housing Forward, and plans to launch a neighborhood registry and small programs such as Bikes for All.
Assistant Village Manager Jonathan Birch presented the Neighborhood Services department’s FY26 priorities to the Finance Committee on Oct. 30, including the continuation of the ECHO pilot, new neighborhood‑registry work, and proposed one‑time expenses for emergency shelter operations.
Birch said phase 1 of the ECHO (Engaging Community for Healthy Outcomes) pilot launched in 2025 and staff will evaluate the program over the coming year. He said the department has also launched a volunteer management system, moved to expand energy‑efficiency grants for homeowners and continued code‑compliance work after adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code earlier in 2025.
The FY26 proposal includes nearly $1.3 million in one‑time costs, Birch said. Two notable items he called out were a potential contract with Housing Forward to operate an emergency shelter (the draft budget includes a one‑time placeholder amount and staff said they are seeking state or county support) and funds to continue the ECHO pilot through December 2026 if the Board chooses to do so.
Birch said Neighborhood Services plans to launch a Neighborhood Registry in 2026 to formalize contacts for neighborhood organizations and to support community grants. He also described a proposed Bikes for All program to refurbish bikes gathered by the Police Department and redistribute them to residents at low or no cost, prioritizing households below 80% of area median income.
Trustees asked whether Housing Forward had secured state funding; staff said no firm state commitment has been received and they are exploring county support. Staff also said security at Village Hall and temporary parking‑lot security had been funded this year from available flexibility but may require a budget amendment before year‑end if the current temporary funding exceeds appropriations.
Neighborhood Services said phase‑2 alternatives for behavioral‑health crisis response remain on pause pending state dispatch changes (SASSA law implementation), and that phase‑2 options will be reconsidered once the legal and dispatch framework is in place.