Wauconda board approves $6 million street contract, adopts 9.5% water-rate increase and fiscal 2026–27 budget

The Wauconda Village Board on April 21 awarded a $6 million contract to Peter Baker and Son for the 2026 Street Improvement Project and approved related engineering and budget measures.

Staff said the project covers roughly three miles of roadway, including portions of Gastel Road and the Orchard Hill subdivision, and will include sidewalk and curb replacement and pavement resurfacing. Staff recommended extending the project’s northern limits from Braburn Drive to Liberty Lakes Boulevard to address structural failing near a guardrail; the extended scope is expected to keep the overall timeline at roughly 60 working days, with staff targeting completion by the end of July. The board approved the construction contract by roll call.

The board also approved a professional services agreement with HMG Engineers for construction management at a cost of $120,200. "The second half of the construction process is construction management by HMG Engineers; staff recommend approving the professional services agreement," a staff presenter said.

On utilities, Finance Director McManis presented an ordinance raising the water rate by 9.5% effective July 1. McManis said the increase would raise the per‑thousand‑gallon charge by $2.13 and estimated that the average customer would pay about $100 more annually; a minimum‑usage customer (about 2,000 gallons or less) would pay about $50 more for the year. The board approved the ordinance by roll call.

The board also adopted the village’s fiscal year 2026–27 budget as presented by staff. "They put together a great job explaining it," the Mayor said during remarks thanking staff for their work on the budget.

Officials approved a change order with Partner Engineering & Science tied to disposal of materials from monitoring wells on public‑works property after the EPA approved the site investigation report and requested a corrective action plan. Partner submitted a quote for change order number four of $50,165; staff said the village’s total spending to date on the matter is $150,000, about half of which is reimbursable, and recommended approval. The board approved the change order by roll call.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (minutes, bills totaling $671,245.64, surplus resolutions, contract for lift station valve replacement, administrator employment agreement amendment): Approved by roll call (Trustee How, Trustee Shaw, Trustee Strauss, Trustee Stein, Trustee Gary, Trustee Brown — all recorded 'yes'). - New business A — 2026 street improvement contract (Peter Baker and Son), $6,000,000: Approved by roll call (all recorded 'yes'). - New business B — HMG Engineers professional services agreement, $120,200: Approved by roll call (all recorded 'yes'). - New business C — Ordinance amending water and sewer rates (9.5% water increase; $2.13 per‑thousand‑gallon): Approved by roll call (all recorded 'yes'). - New business D — FY 2026–27 village budget: Approved by roll call (all recorded 'yes'). - New business E — Partner Engineering change order #4 for site closure work, $50,165: Approved by roll call (all recorded 'yes').

What happens next Staff said construction for the street project would begin under the awarded contract, with construction management by HMG Engineers. The water-rate increase takes effect July 1 and will appear on customer bills beginning in September, per staff. The Partner Engineering work is intended to satisfy EPA corrective-action requests; staff said the change order should bring the project to final completion.

Sources: Meeting presentation and roll-call votes at the Wauconda Village Board meeting, April 21, 2026.