Aldermen get first glance at FY25 city budget highlights; plan includes spending $6 million from reserves for capital improvements

QUINCY — If Quincy residents want the streets fixed (which appears to be the case), then it’s going to cost money.

Apparently, so does clean water.

During Monday night budget presentations regarding general fund, capital and infrastructure expenditures, the Quincy City Council heard a proposed $60.9 million general fund budget from the administration.

Comptroller Sheri Ray said the spending plan calls for a transfer of $13 million for capital projects, with $6 million coming from reserves. Of the $13 million spend, $7 million is for street and parking lot projects.

Engineering Manager Steve Bange said overall $17.3 million would be spent on roads, sidewalks and alleys, which is a $2.3 million increase from a year ago.

That includes the $4.8 million on Sixth Street improvements, which are under way, and another $3.2 million on South 12th from Jefferson to State, which was recommended to the full Council on Monday. Also, $5 million on water mains under Broadway to be done in conjunction with the state’s resurfacing of the city’s main thoroughfare.

The budget will be made public next week and the scheduled budget adoption timeline is as follows:

• Public Hearing and first budget reading: April 1.
• Second Reading & Budget Hearings: April 8.
• Third Reading & Budget Hearings: April 15.

Director of Public Works Jeffrey Conte also presented the $30 million plan for improvements to the City of Quincy’s water system, which includes floodproofing the water treatment plant along with the aforementioned water and sewer pipes during the state’s upcoming repairs to Broadway. The average monthly cost to the consumer will be more than $14 should the proposal pass. Aldermen heard the ordinances first reading Monday night.

In other action, Mayor Mike Troup introduced two new members of the administration: Human Resources and Risk Management Director Kelly Japcon and IT Director Mark Dumanowsky.

Japcon has worked in HR for companies in the Chicago suburbs, while Dumanowsky was working in IT in Atlanta and has also previously worked for AT&T. He has an undergrad from University of Illinois-Chicago and an MBA from Western Illinois University.

Aldermen also:

• Accepted Bernie Vahlkamp’s reappointment as fire chief for another three-year term from the Quincy Police and Fire Commission.
• Approved the purchase of three extended warranties from Gem City Ford for a total cost of $9,255.00 for recently purchased Ford police utility vehicles.