What are some of the capital infrastructure investments that would be made with the adoption of the FY 24 budget?
Capital infrastructure investments include:
- Customer service technology improvements such as a new electronic payment portal for utility billing and improved options for online payments
- Continuation of the residential water meter replacement program with new smart meter technology
- Engineering design services for planned water main replacements in 2025
- Various water/sewer system rehabilitation improvements to items such as water main valves, fire hydrants, and sanitary sewer lift stations
- Roadway improvements and street resurfacing
- Sidewalk and bike path improvements
- Stormwater drainage improvements
- Town Center Campus updates such as the rehabilitation of the Kagann Plaza brick pavers, a roof replacement and HVAC replacement at Village Hall, and new electronic messaging boards to replace the outdated Village marquee signs
- Construction of a new Public Works Facility to be completed in 2026
What are some of the public safety and crime prevention investments that would be made with the adoption of the FY 24 budget?
Public safety and crime prevention investments include:
- New virtual reality training simulator to enhance tactical training opportunities for Village Police Officers
- Additional license plate readers (LPR's) to combat crime and help identify criminal suspects
- Addition of a full-time police records clerk to ensure compliance with State of Illinois SAFE-T Act requirements
What are some of the Community and Economic Development initiatives that would be made possible with the adoption of the FY 24 budget?
Community and Economic Development initiatives include:
- Update to the Village’s Comprehensive Plan
- Economic Development Strategic Plan Development
- Continuation of the Village’s $100K Shopping Center Façade and Improvements Grant Program
- Continuation of the Village’s $25K Small Business Grant Program
- Enhancements to the Village’s property maintenance and code enforcement program that will encourage continued homeowner investment and upkeep of homes, and preserve neighborhood property values and the visual appeal of the community.
What are some of the Community Engagement initiatives that would be made possible with the adoption of the FY 24 budget?
Community Engagement initiatives include:
- $25K for new community engagement/special event initiatives
- A community satisfaction survey
- An annual report that will increase public transparency and highlight Village achievements and community investments
Why is there a proposed water/sewer utility rate increase for FY 2024?
The Mayor and Board have worked to develop a long-term funding plan to replace aging infrastructure in the Village of Woodridge. To ensure system reliability and water quality, necessary infrastructure improvements are needed. The Mayor and Board are considering a proposed rate increase of $0.45 ($0.15 water rate increase and $0.30 capital improvement fee increase) to the Village's water/sewer utility rate as well as any proposed pass-through charges that may be enacted by the City of Chicago and the DuPage Water Commission.
Why is there a proposed increase to the Village's Home Rule (HR) Sales Tax?
The proposed $0.50 HR sales tax increase would be allocated to the General Fund to close the deficit and balance the budget.
When did the Village last increase HR sales tax?
The Village last increased the home rule (HR) sales tax in 2016
When would the proposed HR sales tax increase become effective?
The $0.50 proposed HR sales tax increase would become effective on July 1, 2024, which is the earliest it can become effective under the state's tax filing deadlines.
What is the estimated cost of the construction of a new Public Works Facility?
The total project budget estimate for a new Public Works Facility is approximately $20 million
How will the new Public Works Facility be financed?
The new Public Works Facility will be financed by issuing approximately $12 million in debt with the balance of the funding from approximately $7 million of cash and on-hand reserves to help finance construction costs.
Why propose the creation of a new Public Works Facility rather than investing in updates at the current building?
- One of the Mayor and Board's strategic priorities has been facility improvements for Woodridge Police and Public Works Departments
- The Janes Avenue property was specifically planned for and designed to accommodate future Public Works facilities. The Board's goal has been to construct a new Public Works Facility following the completion of new Police Department and Public Works storage facilities
- It makes more sense financially to create a new Public Works Facility rather than to invest any additional dollars in 1 Plaza Drive, which was constructed in 1986
- It is more economical to build new while also being able to use cash on hand reserves to pay for a portion of the facility project and reduce the amount of debt needed to finance the construction
Why is there a structural deficit in the general fund?
There is currently a structural deficit in the general fund because revenues have not kept pace with expenditures and inflation. Additional revenue sources will need to be identified to develop a plan that will lead to a balanced budget.
Is the Village proposing to increase property taxes as part of the FY 2024 budget?
The proposed property tax levy will keep the Village's tax rate flat/unchanged while supporting a plan to help balance the budget and address the structural deficit of the general fund. The proposed FY 24 tax levy rate would be among the lowest among comparable communities in DuPage County.
What is the Village's portion of the property tax rate?
The below dollar bill graphic represents how a typical Woodridge homeowner’s property tax dollars are distributed to various taxing bodies. The Village currently receives only 3 cents of every dollar paid in property taxes. Since the Village has over 25,000 residents, it is a Home Rule Community. As such, it is not bound by property tax caps. However, the Village Board has been cognizant of the impact of property taxes on its residents and has historically only increased their levy by the amount of new growth in the Village.
How can I provide a public comment about the FY 24 Budget?
The Village of Woodridge encourages and welcomes community input regarding the FY 24 Budget. Please visit our Public Comment Webpage to learn how you can submit a public comment about the FY 24 Budget and other agenda items.
