New O’Fallon budget targets new swimming pool, park improvements

Big-ticket items include $8 million in community park and pool upgrades and $8 million for phase 2 of a new wastewater treatment plant are green-lighted in the upcoming fiscal year’s budget for O’Fallon.

Following a public hearing without any comments on Monday, the O’Fallon City Council approved the annual budget of $103,546,657, which goes into effect May 1, and projects expenses and revenues through April 30, 2024.

Finance Director Sandy Evans said the annual budget must be passed before the start of the fiscal year on May 1, and the annual appropriation must be filed with St. Clair County Clerk prior to the start of the fiscal year.

The approval of the annual budget does not authorize the departments to begin a project without going through the purchasing manual directions. All items that are required to have a bid process will go through that and be presented to council prior to approvals or beginning work, she explained.

Compared to the budget that was reviewed at the February 27 meeting, the total budget increased by $9,757,403 mostly because of the Build O’Fallon Trust Fund additions. Those projects include:

• Community Park Enhancements (Pool, etc.): $8,000,000; Pickleball Courts: $300,000; and Improvements to O’Fallon Station Plaza: $165,000.
• Six new pickleball courts are planned to supplement the existing courts at Hesse Park and improvements to the O’Fallon Station include concrete patio area with sunshade, new entry wall and welcome signage, sunshade covers for an existing patio in rear, and additional seating and amenities.
• Major changes are expected within the next two years at the Community Park, which is located along U.S. Highway 50 and is home to the annual City Fest in August.
• The city pool will be totally rebuilt and enlarged. The current pool, built in 1959, has become inadequate and needs major work. At that time, the town’s population was about 4,000; today it is over 30,000.
• New lighted walking paths will wind through the park, providing more safety for walkers. An event space is being developed to include a bandstand.

Replacing the community swimming pool, creating an all-inclusive playground, and adding community space for gatherings was part of the O’Fallon Parks Master Plan, along with more hiking and biking trails, completing the Family Sports Park, and putting new parks in underserved areas.

Last year, the park sought input from residents in an online survey, and at public meetings on ways to enhance the quality of life in the city and what they thought was needed.

Director of Parks and Recreation Andrew Dallner said people said in the surveys that they wanted a bigger place to get together.

Immediate needs within the next year at the Katy Cavins Center included the replacement of the accessibility ramp and the installation of a fire sprinkler system.

Dallner said their Master Plan study found that expectations for an outdoor aquatic facility had drastically changed over the past 60 years.

A prepared report by Planning Design Studio stated recreational water has taken a more freeform shape as opposed to the traditional rectangular pools of the 1960s. It’s common for these pools to have multiple zones that include a zero-beach entry, waterslide plunge areas, moving water such as a current channel or lazy river, inflatable crossing activities and deep-water amenities such as climbing walls, drop slides and diving boards or platforms.

With the upgrades, adults can enjoy the experience and are able to closely monitor their children, the report said.

The pool also has physical issues that need to be repaired. In addition, the two sets of exit stairs are not ADA compliant and needs to be accessible with a ramp or handrails to be easily manageable for all pool users. Upgrades to restrooms are also needed, as are locker rooms with amenities.

This city budget is lower than FY2023, which was at $104.7 million, and included an increase in public safety and began long-awaited parks and recreation projects.

The Build O’Fallon Trust Fund in 2023 included the Blazier Field turf for $206,000, with half of the cost being paid by O’Fallon Township High School; Pool/Katy Cavins Center study for $900,000; and the All Abilities Playground/Trail project for $1 million.

In his mayor’s report, Roach said the city’s investment committee is taking advantage of the higher interest rates.

“We recently invested over $4.5 Million into FDIC insured CD’s with PMA and Commerce Bank with interest rates from 4.5% to 5.7%. All city funds are invested in insured or collateralized types of investments. For over 15 years, every financial investment the city made, generated profit,” he said.

Roach also noted that the $14 million expansion and upgrade to O’Fallon’s sewer plant is underway.

“This upgrade will ensure that we remain in compliance with all new state and federal EPA requirements for the long-term. It also allows for more expansion and a reduction in operating costs. This is being done with a 20-year loan with an interest rate of under 1% due to the City’s excellent financial rating,” he said.