Oak Park residents could see nearly $12.8 million in capital project spending in fiscal year 2027 on water mains, sewer improvements, streetscapes and parking infrastructure.
The Finance Committee meets Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 201 at Village Hall, 123 Madison St., to begin reviewing the recommended Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY2027–2031. The session is the first of two planned committee reviews before the full plan goes to the Village Board.
Where the money goes
The staff report for agenda item 26-551 puts total FY2027 capital spending across four funds at $12,778,716:
- Water/Sewer Fund: $9,472,000
- Motor Fuel Tax Fund: $1,311,223
- Parking Fund: $1,168,288
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): $643,350
The staff report, prepared by Deputy CFO Louis Hall-Makarewicz and reviewed by CFO Kevin Bueso, states that proposed spending falls within budgeted revenues for each fund. One exception: a single project expected to be reimbursed with federal grant dollars. The Motor Fuel Tax fund will draw down reserves that have accumulated over several years of inactivity.
Named projects in the plan include the Percy Julian Streetscape, flooding mitigation work, a Rainscape grant program and lead service line replacement.
Levy increase on the table
The CIP review lands in a budget cycle already shaped by property tax levy discussions. At the Aug. 6 Finance Committee meeting, CFO Bueso estimated that maintaining baseline service levels alone would require more than a 3% property tax levy increase in 2027. Funding all discussed priorities could push that figure to roughly 8.59%.
Trustee Brian Straw noted at the Aug. 6 meeting that "the current pressures stem in part from a 0% levy increase approved by a previous board in 2022, which reduced the corporate levy's baseline going forward."
What comes next
Thursday's session covers only the special revenue and enterprise funds. A second Finance Committee meeting will review the four remaining capital funds: Building Improvement, Equipment Replacement, Fleet Replacement and the General Improvement Fund.
Village staff plan to present the full CIP to the Board of Trustees in mid-October. Adoption is tentatively scheduled for the Nov. 17 Village Board meeting. That timeline would let Public Works begin procurement for 2027 projects on schedule.
The village plans to publish the CIP document on its Open Book platform with new features including maps and interactive fund schedules.
Residents who want to submit public comment virtually for Thursday's meeting can contact the Village Clerk's Office before 5 p.m. Sept. 24 at 708-358-5670 or [email protected].
