Manhattan Road District Eyes $2.1M Budget, Hinges on Unguaranteed Solar Farm Funds

The Manhattan Township Road District is proposing a $2.15 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a plan that includes the purchase of a new truck and finishing a storage facility, but relies on a substantial, and currently unsecured, payment from a solar energy company.

Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas presented the tentative road and bridge budget during the township board’s May 13 meeting. A key component of the budget is a projected $400,000 outlay for work on Smith Road, money that is expected to come from a local solar farm development.

However, Baltas cautioned the board that the township has not yet received any signed agreement guaranteeing the funds. The money was included in the budget so that if the payment is received, the Road District will have the authority to spend it. This uncertainty led Supervisor James F. Walsh to suggest the township should look into requiring surety bonds from incoming solar farm developments to cover potential maintenance on their properties, a measure not currently mandated by Will County.

The proposed budget, totaling $2,149,302, also allocates $300,000 under the Permanent Road Fund for a new 6-wheeler truck. Baltas noted that earmarking these funds for the Equipment Purchase line item would allow the district to buy the vehicle outright, avoiding the need to take out a loan.

Other significant line items include funds to complete the cold storage shed at the Road District shop and allocations for commodities. Baltas also informed the board that the final version of the budget will include a fuel replacement tax, which was not factored into the tentative draft.

Separately, the board reviewed the tentative township budget, which totals $982,040. This budget reflects increases in several areas, including administration and personnel, equipment maintenance, building maintenance, and the assessor’s budget. The funds for equipment maintenance specifically account for the potential replacement of the township’s aging computer server. According to the presentation, the general assistance fund is holding steady compared to previous years.

Both tentative budgets were presented for the board’s initial review and will be subject to final approval at a future meeting.