City Council of November 2, 2026

The City of Belvidere City Council met November 2, 2026. After public comment focused heavily on opposition to the proposed Datawatt Energy data center, Project Hawkeye, the council approved Resolution 2026-24, as amended, directing the mayor and city administration to cease negotiations, discussions, or meetings with Datawatt about the project. The vote was 8–2. The city attorney said the resolution was legal to pass but likely not enforceable as a restriction on the mayor’s authority. No data-center contract or development approval was awarded at this meeting.

The council also approved renewal of the city’s property, casualty, and workers’ compensation coverage with IML/RMMA for January 1, 2027–January 1, 2028, at $85,170.17, including $2,000 in dues; payment by November 13 would qualify for a 1% discount. It approved an estimated tax levy of approximately $5,729,687 for the city, representing no increase, and $895,340 for the public library, a 5% increase. These were estimates and the first step in the levy process.