Proposed Budget Includes Big Increase for Water and Sewer Fund

A public hearing date for the 2011/2012 proposed budget has been scheduled for April 19 during the city council’s regularly scheduled meeting. 

Meanwhile, the budget will be on display at the for public viewing and on the municipal website.

Director of Finance Mark Nannini said the most significant change in the proposed budget was a 6.65 percent increase for the water and sewer fund which pays for expenses related to the maintenance of wastewater, water, sewers and lifts. 

Nannini said that as the city has operated conservatively for the past five or six years, annual budgets have not fluctuated as widely as some other communities. 

Director of Public Works Victor Ramirez said the money is needed for things that are vital for Crystal Lake residents, including the replacement of pumps at three of the city’s 29 lift stations which will run about $64,000 and an estimated $80,000 for grouting and lining of sewers, which prevents storm water from seeping in. 

“It’s an important one that saves money in the long run,” Ramirez said of the latter. 

A new anaerobic digester costing about $38,500 and a sand filter media replacement estimated at $40,000 are needed at one of the wastewater treatment plants, he said. 

Other expenses in the department’s general fund for the following fiscal year include replacing a back ho at $125,000; replacing a bucket truck with a new one with an 80-foot reach at $80,000; computerized spreader controls in snow plow trucks for a total of $18,000; and a 275-kilowat backup generator for the municipal complex to cover the section of the facility the existing one does not at a cost of $50,000. 

Also included in next year’s proposed budget is a $40,000 dehumidifier to be installed in the air conditioner at the municipal complex city council chamber.