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City council previews $7.8 million FY2027 capital plan, highlights street, water and drainage priorities
Summary
City staff presented a FY2027 capital kickoff proposing $7,827,000 in capital spending and a five‑year plan of about $63 million, noting low bids on Catherine Street, proposed sidewalks to connect Safe Routes to School gaps, and a proposed Washington Estates drainage basin requiring council direction.
City staff on Feb. 16 asked the Washington City Council for early guidance on the fiscal year 2027 capital plan, outlining a $7,827,000 ask for next year and a five‑year capital program of about $63,000,008.81.
"This is the start of my fifth week, and I'm, starting to be involved in several of the strategic goals," City Administrator Fateman Hsu said, introducing the presentation and asking department heads to summarize the maps and funding sources. Finance and public‑works staff walked the council through a new GIS "story map" designed to show residents where work was completed and where projects are planned.
Public‑works manager Dennis said the apparent low bidder for Catherine Street Phase 3 came in "about 1,510,000," well under the prior slide estimate, and that staff will update the capital improvement plan and return for approval. He said the city hopes to publish story maps publicly so residents can see project photos and percent complete information.
Staff outlined several priorities for FY2027, including continued sidewalk work under the Safe Routes to School program and a proposed Elgin sidewalk extension to connect the Babbelink and Grand Isle sidewalks. "This Elgin sidewalk extension would connect the two," the mayor said while describing the proposal; staff recommended notifying property owners in advance if council wants the project included.
Water and drainage needs were a recurring theme. Dennis told the council Sunnyland is fed by a single water main and recommended adding redundancy so a large break would not force the area onto a boil order. He also described the Washington Estates drainage pond as a priority, noting previous negotiations with a property owner had ended and that design work is budgeted at about $250,000 pending council direction.
Wastewater staff reported continuing CIPP sewer lining work (budgeted at about $300,000) and a sewer lift‑station PLC upgrade with an estimated budget near $500,000; Trojan UV disinfection modules at the treatment plant were flagged for phased replacement. "The modules need overhauled," wastewater staff said, recommending either a phased approach or a single purchase depending on council preference.
Council members took questions about timing and funding sources. Alderson McIntyre said including the drainage work in the budget made sense given it is tied to an existing bond and stressed completing water‑runoff projects before repurposing tax revenue. Council directed staff to continue refining estimates and to bring more detail on bond timing, grant windows and the planned five‑year schedule as the budget process proceeds.
The presentation closed with staff noting larger, longer‑range projects—such as a Lakeshore Drive extension with a preliminary $5 million estimate—remain under review and will be prioritized once the city has more information on funding and the results of a citywide space study.
