Committee of the Whole September 14, 2026

The City of Belvidere, Illinois, held a Committee of the Whole meeting on September 14, 2026, where several procurement and budget-related topics were discussed. A significant portion of the meeting addressed community concerns about a proposed large-scale data center project, referred to as Project Hawkeye, with no concrete plans or approvals yet. The council emphasized the need for transparency and fact-finding before any decisions are made. The meeting also included approval of a landmark designation for Perry Elementary School, recognizing its historical significance, and discussed the use of impact fees for capital improvements. Additionally, the council approved a proposal from CES Inc. for up to $31,000 to complete preliminary and design engineering for the 2025 Safe Routes to School project, funded by a federal grant of approximately $249,346. The city auditor presented a clean audit report for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2026, noting compliance with federal grant requirements. Other updates included public works activities and staffing changes. Motions related to these procurement and budget items were passed unanimously by the council.