While 2022 has only just begun, the village of Gurnee is already looking into the future, all the way into 2027.
Finance director Brian Gosnell gave a presentation on the village’s multiyear capital plan at a Village Board meeting Monday along with Heather Galan, the director of public works and Chris Velkover, the village’s information systems director.
They gave an overview for the next five years, with a more comprehensive look at the village’s spending during the 2023 fiscal year.
The plan, which includes $17.9 million in spending, is one of the largest on record, according to Gosnell. Altogether, it includes approximately $59.7 million to be spent through 2027.
“This is the largest fund I was able to find on record,” Gosnell said.
That is partly because it includes projects that were delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The majority of the 2023 spending will be on transportation systems, with the village preparing to spend $7.5 million on improving roads, sidewalks and undertaking other transportation-related projects; with $6.5 million being used solely for rehabilitation of existing roads and sidewalks, including the resurfacing of more than four miles of roads.
The village will also spend $4.1 million on updates to its sewer and water system, according to Galan, with $1.5 million of that being spent on a new water and sanitary sewer installation along Juniper Street.
Gurnee plans on spending $3.6 million on updating equipment and vehicles used by village departments, including public works, the police and fire departments In the 2023 fiscal year, Gurnee plans to spend $475,000 of that for three new squad cars for the police department, an evidence tech vehicle, four unmarked police vehicles and two community service officer vehicles. Also included in that number is $750,000 for a new fire engine, and $290,000 for a new ambulance.
Altogether, the village maintains 124 pieces of equipment and vehicles, all of which are valued at $17.5 million. The public works department has the most, with 67 pieces of equipment and vehicles, valued at $8.9 million. The police department has 36 pieces of equipment and vehicles, totaling $1.9 million, and the fire department has 21 pieces of equipment and vehicles, totaling $6.6 million.
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The village is also planning $1.9 million in technological updates, according to Velkover, including $98,000 for cybersecurity enhancements and $20,0000 for audiovisual upgrades for the council chambers.
Trustee Karen Thorstenson complimented the staff on the presentation, and their ability to develop a plan that looks into what Gurnee will need five years into the future.
“We all see in these meetings and minutes the work that you’re doing on a day-to-day basis, but it’s really nice to see your strategic thinking,” she said. “Thanks for tying it together for us.”
While the village has laid out much of its spending goals in the capital plan, Village Administrator Patrick Muetz said it can be amended up until the board approves the 2023 fiscal year budget in April.