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Bloomington reviews $111.7 million in FY2027 capital projects, $82 million in water work
Summary
City officials presented FY2027 capital projects totaling $111.7 million — led by a $81.9 million water program — and described new housing, streets and parks investments while councilors pressed staff on water mandates, a permanent pothole paver crew and timelines for sewer work.
The Bloomington City Council spent much of its March 16 meeting on a line-by-line presentation of the FY2027 proposed budget, including $111.7 million in capital projects and a water program that accounts for roughly $81.9 million of that total. City Manager Jurgens opened the session and turned the presentation over to Finance Director Scott Rathman and department directors who described project scope and funding sources.
Engineering director Jim Karch said the city’s portion of several large state-led road projects will be modest compared with total costs, noting the Locust Street/Illinois Route 9 work will involve a significant Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) share with a city contribution estimated at $500,000. Karch also outlined ongoing sewer-rehabilitation efforts and the Locust-Colton combined-sewer-overflow (CSO) separation program; he said Phase 9 must be completed by April 2030 to remain in good standing with federal regulators and to avoid enforcement measures.
Director of Water Brett Lushin described a multi-year lead service-line replacement program (phase 2 design and construction) and system-wide distribution upgrades. He characterized the water investments as part of a compliance and renewal effort: “This is actually doing much improvements that helps brings everything into compliance,” he said, adding the city expects to pursue state and federal funding opportunities for some projects. Lushin also highlighted a $6.9 million Lake Evergreen water-quality management project intended to address taste-and-odor problems; staff said that project has a strong chance of receiving 100% state forgiveness funding.
City staff emphasized funding mix transparency: detailed project sheets in the published budget books list funding sources (grants, reserves, operations, and borrowing) and are available online for public review. Council members repeatedly asked whether the plan is realistic and how it will be paid for; City Manager Jurgens said much of the water work will be financed via bonds and the current rate structure and that roughly three-quarters of the $82 million relates to mandated projects.
Other capital highlights include grants for sidewalks and trail extensions, a $10 million asphalt and concrete resurfacing program, parks and zoo repairs, police and fire facility maintenance projects, and a revised plan for a smaller downtown transfer station developed with Connect Transit that staff said should reduce the city’s outlay.
Council members pressed for details on staffing and procurement. On streets work, Public Works Director (Moe) described a $750,000 request to fund a four-person crew and materials to operate a permanent asphalt paver the city purchased last year; staff said the paver work would focus on residential sections and could extend pavement life and reduce manual labor injuries. On housing, Community Development Director Cordaro Patrick outlined targeted neighborhood programs totaling about $1.7 million (including small home-improvement grants, a vacant-property abatement process and a West Bloomington quality-of-life planning effort) and provided projected outputs for rehab and demolition activity.
The council did not take final budget votes at the meeting. Staff said a public hearing on the budget will be held the following Monday with potential adoption at the council’s first April meeting.
