Sycamore’s making an effort to improve its streets.

City Manager Bill Nicklas said the city is not where it needs to be in terms of annual street maintenance.

“If we want to catch up, we have to find a way to expand the general revenue base,” Nicklas said, “or look at some other alternative ways of funding, not alone but in conjunction with our general revenue base.”

Six alternatives were brought before the council. Those options include separate fees and taxes, though the city has worked hard to keep property taxes down.

“We have a double responsibility here to keep our rate down not only because we want to do it for its own sake but because it helps other taxing bodies tax to the limits they’re allowed,” Nicklas said.

First Ward Alderman Alan Bauer said he’s not sure he agrees with the “reconstruct philosophy.”

“There’s so much to do that I think it may be worth taking some chances on some streets to do a simple resurface on some streets and make the money go farther,” Bauer said.

Nicklas estimated the final project to cost $12 million dollars or more. He also said the project would include a combination of resurfacing and reconstruction.

“We want input,” said Mayor Ken Mundy. “We have these possibilities for funding. Some of these will tend to give us a more rapid schedule. Some will take some time, maybe too much time for those sitting on a street that needs immediate attention. Exposure is the main thing right now.”