City staff and the city’s engineering consultant (EEI) described a plan to use the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s public water supply loan program to accelerate the city’s lead service line replacement program in 2026. Staff said the city is pursuing a roughly $2.5 million loan that will be forgiven under the program plus authority to borrow up to $16.5 million in 0% loans. The city intends to borrow a total of approximately $15,000,000 in 2026, which includes the principal-forgiveness component.

Staff indicated the program will target lead-service-line replacements timed with planned roadway resurfacing to increase efficiency. Council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to sign IEPA documents and also approved a debt-authorization ordinance to borrow funds through the program.

Council members asked procedural questions and staff confirmed that borrowing and program terms will be finalized as documents are prepared, and that some details will require additional reviews and signatures. The council approved the authorizations on the consent/roll-call items recorded during the meeting.