Finance & Budget Committee Meeting 10-29-2026

The City of Evanston Finance & Budget Committee held a special budget meeting on October 29, 2026, to review the proposed FY2027 capital improvement program and budget. Staff described an approximately $100 million CIP, including water-main and lead-service-line replacement, street and corridor work, parks, and major facility planning. The 2027 water program was estimated at about $25 million, largely for water mains and lead lines; staff said lead-line replacement requirements could accelerate the replacement schedule. Major transportation projects include the Lincoln Street Bridge, Chicago Avenue corridor, and Church Street corridor. To reduce debt, staff proposed using funds previously planned for standalone street resurfacing as matching funds for grant-supported projects, with Chicago Main TIF funds also proposed for the Chicago Avenue match. Staff noted grants generally cover about 70–75% of project costs. A traffic-signal inspection was moved into the current year through an Omnia community purchasing agreement for less than $10,000. No contract award or final CIP spending vote was recorded; committee members discussed possible cuts, including a recommendation to council to reduce the CIP by at least $2.3 million because that amount lacked an identified funding source. Further council discussion and feedback were expected at upcoming meetings.

The committee also reviewed proposed solid-waste fee and tax changes, including a five-cent bag-tax increase and targeted cart-rate increases intended to make the fund self-supporting, and a proposed water-rate increase to help finance infrastructure and lead-line work. Staff estimated the combined proposed increases in property tax and several fees and taxes at just under $400 annually for an average household, with actual impacts varying. Committee members raised concerns about long-term debt capacity, project affordability, and the need for updated year-end fund-balance estimates. During public comment, residents called for stronger financial controls and an independent forensic audit of motor-fuel-tax spending; these were public requests, not committee actions. Motions were made to open discussion on agenda items, but no substantive procurement or budget appropriation vote was reported.