Two major projects scheduled to begin this year hiked the expenditure column of the 1998-99 budget approved Tuesday by the Village Board, but the budget is in the black.
Expenditures increased to $29 million from $17 million last year because of capital expenditures, said Mayor John Nowakowski.
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on the water main transmission lines that will carry Lake Michigan water from Tinley Park to New Lenox at an estimated cost of $11 million.
The cost of the Lake Michigan pipeline project could decrease if the village gets a low-interest loan from the state. Bonds and water department revenues also will finance the pipeline.
The budget allocates $750,000 for land purchase, engineering and design for the New Lenox Commons project, a plan to turn acreage south of U.S. Highway 30 and west of Vine Street into a town center.
Village Administrator Russ Loebe said village officials are considering buying 5.5 acres and beginning some road construction.
The funding will come from money accumulated in the public improvements fund over the years, he said.