Capital Improvements Plan in Second Draft

Rockford - The Capital Improvements Plan is already in its second draft and is expected to tweaked some more before the Planning and Development Committee votes to approve it a week from Monday. Still most aldermen in the committee meeting were excited about the rough draft and the changes proposed. "I think one of the positive things that happened tonight is to realize what`s being proposed is being proposed and will be completed and paid for in five years without spending a dime of interest," said Alderman Frank Beach. "It`s all done and over with. It`s not going to be on the property tax and that`s a very positive thing." The Capital Improvements plan outlines the road projects for the next five years. Each project is there in black and white along with the proposed costs and where the money is coming from. Alderman Beach believes the transparency of the CIP is what will help voters pass the 1% sales tax in April. "I`m a voter and I don`t blame them at all for wanting to know exactly how they are going to spend our money," said Beach. "Theyre the ones, Im the one, you`re the ones paying the bill." In the latest draft, some smaller road projects were pushed back to ensure the bigger projects like the Harrison Avenue construction, and Kishwaukee and Morgan Street bridges were dealt with. What isn`t dealt with in 2007, may be handled in 2008 or beyond. Still many aldermen at tonights meeting wanted to know that the needs of their individual wards were met. Alderman Doug Ward explained some of the concerns. "How are we going to fund projects? How are we going to move them up? How are we going to be able to address each issue in each ward as it pertains to residential sidewalks, lighting and those types of things that are important to each alderman?" said Ward. The CIP is not set in stone. After the 2007 fiscal year, the aldermen`s personal wish lists can be considered. Also discussed tonight was what would happen if not all the revenue is spent during a year. Some suggestions include splitting it between the alderman`s individual wards or using it to pay off city bonds.