Warrenville public works lays out FY27 projects, decision packages for GIS and well-site security

Public Works Director Coover told the council the department will "focus more on the strategic plan this year," and reviewed fiscal year 2026 highlights and the department's FY27 decision packages.

The department described the recently completed water tower as its most visible project: "The water tower is online," Coover said, adding that only a handful of punch-list items remain before the contract is closed out in spring. Coover also said SCADA upgrades for remote monitoring are expected to finish before April.

Why it matters: Coover said the new water treatment plant is under construction and both that plant and the water tower—built with bond funds—will be repaid with TIF 4 funds. Major FY27 projects the department highlighted include Shaw Drive area street rehabilitation (partly funded by a $600,000 CDBG grant and $1,000,000 in state motor fuel tax funds), Cerny Park Phase 2 (park-district-funded with city reimbursement for local share), and a traffic-calming toolkit pending a consultant report expected in March or April.

Coover presented three FY27 decision packages: a GIS management services package listed on the slides as $120,000, a well-site keyless-entry package for just over $58,000, and well-site surveillance for just over $41,000. He noted the city's consultant-level spending on GIS "has been consistent at the $220,000 level for about three years," and said his intent is that after FY27 the ongoing GIS cost should come down.

Council members pressed Coover on whether GIS maintenance would mean an in-house hire. Alderman Lockett asked whether the $120,000 figure represented a continuing staffing commitment; Coover said he did not envision a dedicated GIS staff position and expects continued consultant support with some limited staff tasks.

Coover also addressed operations: he told the council the River Road curb-and-gutter project used funds received from DuPage County after the road's jurisdictional transfer, and reminded the council that Surney/Cerny Park Phase 1 must be closed out by March to remain compliant with the OSLA grant requirements. On winter operations he said the city reduced its salt order this year by about 25% but has capacity to increase orders if needed.

Next steps: Traffic-study results are targeted for a council presentation in March 16 or possibly April; water-and-sewer rate-study consultant selection and a contract will be presented to council in the coming weeks; decision packages will be considered as part of the FY27 budget process.