Big improvements are on the way for several blocks of sidewalk in the City of Niles.

On Monday, the Niles City Council approved a contract to replace sidewalks on North 15th Street from Oak Street to Niles High School.

Administrator Ric Huff said the project would begin soon and is expected to be finished before the end of the construction season.

The city identified sidewalks on 15th Street as needing work due to heavy foot traffic and poor condition.

Bids were open last month and Northern Construction Services, of Niles, was the low bidder at $27,499.50.

Huff said the city had budgeted $50,000 for the sidewalk replacement program. Because the bid came in low, the city is authorizing the contractor to extend unit prices to expand the project on adjacent streets in order to reach the $50,000 limit.

Also Monday:

• The council approved Niles High School’s homecoming parade for 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 on city streets.

• The council purchased a new roof top HVAC system for city hall for $149,000 from A-1 Refrigeration, of Kalamazoo. It will replace one that is broken.

• The proposed 2016 budget was discussed during a committee of the whole meeting. Huff said department heads were told to hold flat or reduce their budgets for next year — a task made difficult due to rising pension and healthcare costs.

Joe Ray, public works director, said he did not have the money to get a new sidewalk plow or replace the city’s wood chipper, which is nearing the end of its lifecycle.

Police Chief Jim Millin said he is eliminating a patrol position and that the department would not make any capital purchases in 2016. Fire Chief Larry Lamb said while equipment is in good shape, most of the money is spent on maintenance.

He said the department’s pumper truck 1996 is due to be replaced within the next 3 to 5 years.