By Laura Katauskas | Bugle Staff
sweditor@buglenewspapers.com
@BugleNewspapers
The village of Romeoville is proposing a $98.4 million budget for fiscal year 2016-17, which represents an 8 percent increase over last year’s spending plan and includes a healthy list of capital projects and street improvements.
Salaries and benefits make up the lion share of the proposed budget at $31.9 million, a 5 percent increase over last year. Contractual obligations make up close to 18 percent and Capital Outlay takes 14 percent of the total budget; debt service, 12 percent; interfund transfers, $14 percent.
The village is planning for slightly more than $2.5 million for in-house/collector street resurfacing. One of its largest projects this year involves the complete construction of fire station #1, at just over $2 million. Expected completion is set for September.
In addition, several recreational improvements are being proposed including a Weber/Airport Road multi-use path ($1.6 million with 80 percent being funded by a federal grant); Deer Crossing park improvements; O’Hara Woods park rehabilitation. A number of vehicles for police and public works will be incurred this fiscal year at approximately $1 million. The deficient Hampton Park Water Main is being proposed to be replaced with the village conducting a study for location priorities and long-term schedule for construction; an animal kennel/shelter will be replaced along with the addition of Hampton Park Decorative lighting; among a list of smaller project such as streetscape and sewer improvements. The multi-year project for a new Metra station at New Avenue will be paid by a majority of outside funding, with the village contributing $200,000 for this fiscal year.
New personnel will have an $210,000 impact on the budget, with the additional of several part-time positions and one full-time employee in the Fire Academy office.
The village is proposing to keep a hold on taxes, with a zero increase to typical homeowner.
Sales tax, which makes up 27 percentage of Romeoville revenue is up 3 percent, and expecting $10.8 million for the 2016-17 fiscal year. In total, village-wide revenues are up 8 percent from $72.3 million to $77.8 million. Operating expenditures increase 8 percent from $66.9 million to $72.3 million.