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Oglesby officials propose using TIF funding to replace lead lines and upgrade Walnut Street
Summary
Commissioner McDermott proposed using Tax Increment Financing to coordinate lead-line removal, sidewalk installation and electric upgrades on Walnut Street to avoid repeated work; council discussed federal/state lead replacement requirements (cited as about 7% per year) and requested estimates and TIP review.
Commissioner McDermott urged the council May 18 to use the city's TIF allocation for a coordinated Walnut Street project that would remove lead water lines, upgrade electric poles and lighting, and install sidewalks "all at once" to avoid redoing work later.
"Trying to save the city money by using the TIF and doing it all at once," McDermott said, arguing that combining lead-line replacement with sidewalk and utility work would reduce total cost. Council members noted a state/federal requirement to remove a percentage of lead lines each year (discussed in the meeting as about 7% per year) and that the total compliance timeline could span years; staff recommended breaking work into projects that can be estimated and run past the TIP committee because those funds are tied to TIP allocations.
Council asked staff to obtain cost estimates and to break the project into phases so the city can prioritize work and coordinate with TIP and grant opportunities. The council did not adopt a funding authorization at this meeting; members signaled support for pursuing estimates and integrating lead-line compliance with planned street and utility work.
