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Oak Park council approves $10 million bond levy, adopts budget amendments and routine payments
Summary
The Oak Park City Council approved a resolution to levy debt for an initial $10 million general obligation bond issuance tied to the community center project, adopted fourth-quarter budget amendments, and unanimously approved a series of routine payments and contract pay applications.
The Oak Park City Council on June 16 approved a resolution authorizing a millage levy to support debt retirement for a general obligation unlimited tax bond series that staff said will include an initial $10,000,000 issue to help fund the city’s community center project. Finance Director Shonda Crawford told the council the bonds are scheduled to be issued June 26, 2025, and staff expect a second, larger issuance later to complete the package.
The council also adopted Budget Amendment 2025‑4, which staff described as having no net impact on the general-fund balance but adjusting revenue and expenditure accounts across funds. Crawford said the amendment reflects higher-than-expected license and permit fees, an increase in one-time grant revenue for public-safety training, new county park grant receipts, stronger interest income, and increased pension and health-care costs. The amendment also moves the remaining HUB construction balance into a new community center construction fund and records the community center bond proceeds there.
Councilors approved several routine payments and construction pay applications during the meeting. The consent agenda included a $10,004,419.27 payment request to Newman Smith Architecture for the Event Hub project and pay application #1 for the 2025 water-main replacement (M769) for $586,001.12. Separately, council approved a $14,659.48 invoice to Garrin Luca Miller, PC, and a $20,000 retainer to Schiffman Fournier for legal services. Staff presented pay application #2 and change order #2 (a negative change) for the 2025 sewer lining project (DVM Utilities) totaling $168,905.40 with a negative $5,591 adjustment, and pay application #2 for the 2025 joint and crack sealing program (Schoedelar Construction) for $47,563.63 with a negative $37,698.21 change order.
Each item was moved, seconded and passed by roll-call vote. Mayor McClellan presided; Crawford and other council members voted yes on the bond-millage resolution and the budget action.
Votes at a glance: • Resolution authorizing FY25–26 debt levy for general obligation unlimited tax bond series 2025 (initial issuance $10,000,000): passed, unanimous. • Budget Amendment 2025‑4 (fourth-quarter adjustments): passed, unanimous. • Consent agenda including Event Hub payment ($10,004,419.27) and water-main pay application ($586,001.12): passed, unanimous. • Invoice to Garrin Luca Miller, PC ($14,659.48): passed, unanimous. • Schiffman Fournier retainer ($20,000): passed, unanimous. • DVM Utilities pay application #2 (M777) $168,905.40, negative change order $5,591: passed, unanimous. • Schoedelar Construction pay application #2 $47,563.63, negative change order $37,698.21: passed, unanimous.
Crawford said the debt service schedule will require having the millage in place by the bond closing to meet state law obligations for debt retirement. The council did not discuss alternative financing sources at length. Next procedural steps: bond issuance is scheduled for June 26, 2025; the budget amendment and fund reconfiguration will be recorded for the fiscal year 2025 accounting.
