Joint City Council/FAC Meeting for August 17th, 2026

The Joint City Council and Finance Advisory Committee meeting of DeKalb, Illinois, held on August 17, 2026, focused primarily on the fiscal year 2027 city budget assumptions. The City Manager presented detailed revenue and expenditure projections, highlighting key funding sources such as property tax, state sales tax, municipal utility tax, and state income tax, with a proposed general fund budget of approximately $58.6 million. The discussion emphasized maintaining the property tax levy at the previous year's level despite rising pension obligations, resulting in a projected shortfall of about $2.1 million to be covered by the general fund reserve. Capital improvement projects discussed included a $3 million street maintenance program, vehicle replacements, software upgrades, and facility improvements, notably for accommodating female firefighters. Committee members debated potential revenue enhancements, including a proposed modest increase in the home rule sales tax to support street maintenance funding. The meeting concluded with consensus on the budget approach and plans for a strategic five-year operating and capital plan to be developed in the spring of 2027.