Village of South Russell councilors reviewed plans and financing options for the proposed South Side Path during a special meeting Dec. 29.

Finance committee members told the council the trail committee recommended the South Side Path, “which is estimated at 1,800,000.0. And the grant is $800,000, leaving about 1000000 dollars left for the village to pay,” and recommended seeking a levy rather than drawing on village reserves. Councilors discussed timing options: a primary, a special election, or waiting until the November general election. Staff said the next steps would include asking the auditor to estimate anticipated levy revenue and then formally declaring necessity and a specific millage level before placing the question on a ballot.

Councilors said the village had already incurred engineering and planning costs (one speaker estimated about $50,000) and that additional administrative reviews would add to expenses. Members debated moving quickly (a May vote would provide an early determination of voter support but risk additional interim expenses) versus waiting for the larger turnout of a November election to increase the chance of passage.

No formal motion to place a specific levy amount on the ballot was adopted at the meeting. Several members stressed that the incoming council taking office Jan. 1 would make the final determination and recommended starting the process in January to meet legal and administrative steps.

Next steps: if the council decides to proceed, staff will request auditor certification of revenue estimates, declare necessity at a future meeting, and return to council with ordinance language and a proposed millage amount.