Two forums hosted Tuesday by the City of Naperville to explain the capital improvement program attracted just 35 people. But Julia Carroll, the city’s director of finance, said the effort was worthwhile in order to show the community it has access to the process.
“We want to get people involved in the process, and we wanted to emphasize that this is the community’s plan,” Carroll said.
Department representatives explained capital projects that are under way or proposed for infrastructure, city facilities and utilities, downtown streetscapes and technology. Capital improvements for fiscal year 2002 total $82 million and include major bridge repairs, road construction and sewer line improvements.
Upcoming plans include a new library on 95th Street and a concert center for downtown. Carroll explained that about 21 percent of the capital budget is paid for with property-tax revenues, while the balance comes from grants, state funds and other taxes, such as on fuel.
The Finance Department is beginning to put together a proposed capital spending plan for fiscal year ’03 and the four years following. The city used to plan and budget for improvements 20 years in advance, but the time frame will be shortened to five years to make the process more manageable and realistic, Carroll said.
The City Council begins considering the capital improvement program in January.
Tuesday’s agenda also included discussion about the city’s inquiry into “e-government,” which allows computer users to conduct city business over the Internet. Residents can fill out a survey that prioritizes the services the city could add to its Web site, such as paying tickets, applying for licenses and building permits and accessing city documents.
The survey is available at the Municipal Center and will soon be posted on the city’s Web site, www.naperville.il.us.
