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Northfield staff outlines FY25-26 goals, flags ambulance purchase and sidewalk projects for budget
Summary
Village staff presented draft FY25-26 goals that include proposing a new ambulance purchase, sidewalk gap infill and Wagner Road safety projects, and an initial $7,000 allocation for economic development; trustees requested ranked priorities and ballpark costs for February.
Patrick, speaking for village staff, presented the draft goals and objectives that will guide the FY25-26 budget process and asked trustees to identify priorities and offer direction.
Patrick said the village budget year begins May 1 and noted two items he highlighted for potential inclusion: the purchase of a new ambulance (a large-ticket item with multi-year lead times) and sidewalk gap infill projects. He also cited Wagner Road as a candidate project and mentioned budgeting an initial $7,000 for a first-year economic development effort to kick-start outreach and initiatives.
"We budgeted $7,000 for our first year effort at trying to do x, y, and z to start that process going," Patrick said, and he committed to returning in February with a bracketed cost estimate for each goal so trustees can visually align priorities.
Trustees raised a number of proposal ideas and concerns: seeding the Northfield Centennial with one-time funding or partnering with the park district and its foundation; prioritizing safety-focused walkability work (including a suggestion that a local church contribute to a small Wagner Road section); seeking grant funding for radar trailers and crosswalk beacons; studying departmental staffing levels; and advancing public-parking work contingent on IDOT approval. Trustees asked staff to return with ballpark numbers so the board can prioritize projects for the coming fiscal year.
Why it matters: The goals document will shape the village's spending priorities and any capital investments next year, including potential safety improvements and equipment purchases that affect response times and pedestrian safety.
What happens next: Patrick said staff will translate the goals into estimated dollar amounts and present bracketed costs at the February meeting. Trustees requested that the list be maintained as a separate spreadsheet with allocation estimates to help prioritize work.
