La Grange officials approved a budget plan Monday that includes $8.2 million for capital projects, mainly those addressing the village’s aging water infrastructure and replacing lead service lines.
“Capital improvements remain a top priority for the village, part of the village’s commitment to aging infrastructure,” Trustee Beth Augustine said in introducing the budget ordinance.
But one element of the village’s water system that wasn’t specifically addressed in the budget was the water reservoir at Plainfield and East Avenues. It’s something that should have been included, said resident John Pluto.
“As I reviewed the fiscal budget, I have not found any line items for testing or repairing that facility,” he told the board Monday. “I have not noticed any projected funds for desperately needed routine maintenance to ensure long-term performance of one of our most important features of infrastructure in this village.”
Village President Mark Kuchler said reservoir maintenance is in the planning stage, but it’s a longer-term project.
“My understanding is that the tanks are going to be inspected in 2025 and that any work that’s required will be done in 2026,” he said.
In total, the village’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Improvements Budget, which reflects the fiscal year that begins May 1, shows an estimated $1,884,741 million General Fund reserve balance at the end of the fiscal year in April, 2026.
The total budget estimates show $46,534,841 in revenues against expenditures of $47,980,173. The village will be covering the deficit through spending down the General Fund’s reserve balance, which is estimated at $16.6 million. According to a village estimate, the General Fund’s reserves are projected to decrease to 60.5% by the end of fiscal year 2029-2030, well within the targeted goal of 50% to 75%.
The $8.2 million in capital expenditures for the next year reflect the village’s stated goal of annually setting aside $2.5 million for capital funding.
The budget passed Monday without comment from trustees, though it has been the subject of several community meetings and a public hearing in late March.
Augustine said in her six years on the board, this was the first year that resident feedback had been included in the process.
“I for one find it helpful and I really appreciate it,” she said.
But resident Al Foreman raised concerns that the public input was not considered in the final projections.
“The budget you have before you today is unchanged from the version that was used at the public hearing three weeks ago,” he said. “My question is, why conduct the public hearing if feedback is not considered and incorporated?”
He asked the board to postpone approval of the budget for two weeks, citing “numerous inconsistencies” in the document.
The vote went on as planned, a move defended by Kuchler.
“I think it’s a sound budget fiscally and we’ve, as always, put the taxpayers interests first,” he said, asking Foreman to meet with village staff to further discuss his concerns.
“We were sound in approving the budget,” Kuchler said.
The next La Grange Board of Trustees meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. April 28, at La Grange Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
