Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews 2026 capital budget, emphasizes firehouse safety and long-term facilities planning
Summary
At a work session the Board reviewed the draft 2026 capital budget, focusing on firehouse safety upgrades (generator, structural repair, decontamination facilities), equipment spending and the need to integrate facilities planning into longer-term borrowing decisions; trustees requested more detailed financial analysis before committing to major borrowing.
The Board discussed the village's draft 2026 capital budget at a work session, with finance staff (S6) and department leads presenting a multi-year plan and department-specific projects. S6 outlined the difference between operating and capital budgets and said the village currently carries about $18,690,000 in outstanding bond principal and related payments included in the operating budget.
Fire-department needs were a central focus. Fire leadership (S11) said the village needs a generator to keep fire apparatus and radios charged during storms and estimated the generator at about $120,000. S11 reported structural concerns under Bay 17/18 of the firehouse with a preliminary estimate of roughly $100,000 to address slab deterioration; S11 said adding decontamination facilities and other safety-focused projects pushes combined fire-related estimates higher and summarized a set of recent estimates that total roughly $783,000 when contingencies are included.
Trustees discussed priorities and phasing: many said safety projects should take precedence while less-critical items could be deferred. S2 and other trustees asked staff to identify which items are essential to preserve life-safety capability versus which could be delayed pending facilities-planning outcomes. S11 told the Board the facilities-planning process will take time and that the village may be several years from construction on a new facility, which argues for addressing immediate safety needs now while aligning long-range borrowing and grant strategies.
Other capital items presented included server replacement and key-card access upgrades at public safety facilities, an air-compressor replacement for fire breathing-air systems (estimates ranged from $40,000 to $60,000), and a staggered schedule for apparatus replacement. Trustees emphasized the need for clearer estimates and vendor quotes before finalizing borrowing plans.
Next steps: staff will prepare more detailed financial information, including firm cost estimates and potential grant opportunities, and the Board will revisit prioritization in upcoming budget sessions.
