Trustees seek Army Corps schedule; trustee urges dedicated flood-mitigation fund

Trustees reported they met with Army Corps staff about a project-manager transition and requested a near-term estimated schedule for completion of design and key milestones for the Ward Avenue/Bridle flood-mitigation work.

Chair said the Corps is conducting internal meetings during the staffing change and the village expects a schedule by week’s end, and trustees agreed to hold monthly briefings with Corps project staff to receive direct updates.

Trustee Rollins told the board that, regardless of Corps timing, the village needs a dedicated funding mechanism because future maintenance obligations could substantially increase the village’s budget if work proceeds. “We need to begin the process now of setting aside money for flood mitigation,” Rollins said, suggesting either an annual budget percentage or developer contributions similar to the recreation fund model.

Public commenters repeatedly said flooding has worsened after recent development and urged the board to prioritize flood remediation in code and capital planning. Staff and trustees said some flood-related grant opportunities (including the Swift Current program and a potential HHPD grant for dam rehabilitation) are being pursued to supplement local dollars.

Why it matters: Flood mitigation affects homeowners, infrastructure, and future development decisions. A standing fund would help the village cover maintenance obligations tied to Corps projects and reduce the risk of future budget shocks.

What’s next: Trustees said staff will follow up with the Army Corps for a timeline and will present options for a flood-mitigation funding mechanism in budget discussions.