Rock Island staff recommend $10 million in 2026 capital projects; utilities take majority share

City staff presented the proposed 2026 Capital Improvement Plan to the Rock Island City Council and recommended roughly $10 million in capital expenditures that would be included in the 2026 budget.

The presenter said the city received $18.2 million in department CIP requests for 2026, with the largest requests in wastewater, stormwater and water. "The majority of that was for wastewater, stormwater, and water, which was 38.87%," the presenter said. Staff recommended funding just over $10,000,000 for the coming fiscal year.

The presentation distinguished the capital improvement plan — a multi-year planning document — from the single-year capital budget, which contains projects already adopted and funded. Staff cautioned that project cost figures in the CIP are estimates and can change depending on market conditions and project timing.

Major projects and purchases identified for 2026 included sidewalk and resurfacing work on Twentieth Avenue and Thirtieth Street; First Avenue (Illinois 92/First Avenue) reconstruction; a refuse truck, multiple pickup trucks and a skid loader for fleet replacement; stormwater pump station work and local storm improvements; continuation of the water meter replacement program and a Twentieth Street water-main replacement; PFAS remediation work and multiple water tower rehabilitation/replacement projects; sanitary sewer replacement on Twentieth Street; continued implementation of previously begun wastewater software; body-worn cameras and an Axon fleet camera system for police; demolition and façade improvements on North Eleventh Street in community development; and park improvements including relocation of a dog park and playground equipment.

Staff said the recommended $10 million is less than the $25 million recommended in 2025 and attributed much of that prior-year spending to ARPA-funded projects that had to be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024. Funding sources for recommended 2026 projects include user fees, department budgets, and a mix of other sources identified in the budget materials.

The presenter noted the schedule for completing the budget process: a full citywide budget presentation Nov. 10, a potential truth-in-taxation hearing Nov. 24 if required, first reading of the budget ordinance Dec. 8 and a second reading and adoption Dec. 15.