Streaming LIVE: Aurora Finance Committee Meeting | 11-12-2026

The City of Aurora Finance Committee met November 12, 2026. The committee approved a Ward 6 budget transfer for sponsorships and donations (the amount was not stated), a $120,000 subsidy to OnLight Aurora to support operations through May 2027, and an additional approximately $136,000 payment to ACHA to cover the city-affiliated Fiestas Patrias event’s reported $216,000 loss after an earlier $80,000 subsidy. Members raised concerns about fiscal controls and future event planning; staff said they were considering a one-day format and greater city staff involvement. The committee also approved two community-solar subscriber agreements with Aurora Solar CS 1 LLC and Aurora Solar CS2 LLC, covering a water treatment plant and four municipal wells. Staff estimated the agreements would save about $83,000 annually; each is for 20 years with an option to renew for 15 more years.

For infrastructure, the committee approved a phase-two engineering agreement with Alfred Benesch and Company for the New York Street Bridge project, not to exceed $1,746,203, and appropriated $260,000 in Rebuild Illinois bond funds; the project uses federal funding and is anticipated to enter construction in 2029. It also approved a $411,570 Benesch agreement for 2027–2028 bridge inspections, funded with MFT funds. The committee received a Communications and Marketing budget presentation showing a proposed 6.6% reduction and a $1.2 million RiverEdge Park management contract that is being renegotiated; no related budget vote is recorded in the transcript. Public comments and discussion addressed changes to community engagement staffing and neighborhood-group support.