LaSalle County committee advances budget change tied to proposed $479,111 water study

The LaSalle County Land Use Committee on Aug. 5 voted to forward a change to its professional services budget to finance after a lengthy discussion about a proposed county water survey. Committee members and staff discussed whether municipalities or neighboring counties should share the cost of the study and whether the scope could be narrowed.

Staff presented a proposal that estimated the study at roughly $479,111 over two years. Staff told the committee, "We we do $479,111 over 2 years." Members pushed for municipal participation and expressed concern about paying the full cost from county funds alone. Committee member Doug Krieger urged the county to consider whether cities and towns that would host major water users should contribute: "Are there any projects on the horizon for you guys, like big projects where we might be bringing in extra fill and all that kind of stuff," he said, arguing municipalities would also benefit from updated data.

Several members noted existing regional studies and USGS reporting but said new, targeted data might be needed to address current proposals such as data centers. One member suggested coordinating ordinances with municipalities and encouraging or requiring closed-loop water systems to limit aquifer draw. Staff said the study could be scoped down and that the proposed schedule would likely begin in mid‑2027.

Following debate the committee approved a motion to increase the professional services line to cover the initial funding for the study and to forward that change to finance and the full county board for final approval. The committee directed staff to draft outreach to municipalities about joint ordinances and potential cost‑sharing, and to provide a proposed letter or database of municipal ordinances for review before sending formal requests to cities.