Normal approves $188 million six-year capital improvement plan after CIP presentation

The Normal Town Council on Jan. 5 voted to accept a six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2025/26 through 2030/31 totaling approximately $188,000,000.

The plan, introduced by staff presenter Mister Hune, focuses largest spending on transportation projects and includes investments across operating assets, water and sewer infrastructure, parks and facilities, and stormwater. “This, of course, is just the capital project piece of that overall five‑year spending plan,” Mister Hune said during the presentation, explaining the CIP is intended to manage major community assets and provide transparency on project timing and funding sources.

Why it matters: transportation projects, including an underpass and street resurfacing, make up the largest share of the plan; staff reported roughly $99.3 million in transportation spending over the six-year window and $35.5 million earmarked specifically for street resurfacing. Staff also emphasized that projects completed in the prior year rolled off the six‑year window, producing a modest decline from last year’s near‑$200 million plan.

Key details and staff cautions: presenters said the town has programmed 365 projects in the portal and that next fiscal year shows about $61.3 million in capital spending across 80 projects. On water and sewer, Mister Hune warned that a 2% planned rate increase will not be sufficient to cover needed capital for water projects and that several force‑main and sewer lining projects remain to be programmed in future budgets. Mister Hune said those issues will be part of further budget conversations: “A 2% rate increase is not gonna be enough to satisfy those capital needs.”

Council inquiries and examples: Councilmembers asked for specifics on projects and costs. Staff confirmed that the Vernon Road entry in the CIP funds a study only in the next fiscal year, and construction would require a future grant agreement. Staff also provided apparatus cost estimates: ladder truck $2,500,000; fire engine $1,000,000; ambulance $400,000. The portal demonstration showed a College Avenue parking‑deck build‑out the town estimates would add roughly 40 spaces.

Vote and next steps: The council approved the CIP by roll call (all present members voting Aye). Staff said the CIP figures will be incorporated into the proposed budget presentation scheduled for Jan. 20 and that more detailed rate and program discussions (particularly for water and sewer funds) will follow during the budget process.

Provenance: Presentation and Q&A (topic introduced SEG 074; discussion and vote concluded SEG 786).