# Summer Civics Series: Finalized Budget Town Hall

The City of Aurora’s Summer Civics Series budget town hall on September 27, 2026, reviewed the city’s finances and priorities for the 2027 budget, which was still under development. Officials described a current-year general-fund gap of about $9 million, following roughly $30 million in prior-year cuts and the removal of 139 positions. The mayor and staff said the city would need to consider additional revenue, efficiencies, and service reductions; proposals for new local taxes would require state authorization, while no tax changes were adopted at the meeting. The 2027 budget is expected to go to council around October 15, with committee review through November and adoption targeted for early December. No procurement awards or spending-related votes were identified.

Discussion of capital and infrastructure spending included a neighborhood street program expected to cost slightly over $7 million in 2027 and an arterial and collector street program of about $3.5 million. Lead service-line replacement was estimated at about $7.5 million annually, and downtown parking-deck restoration was discussed at roughly $5–6 million. The Orchard Road noise barrier is funded and currently out to bid, with construction anticipated to begin in spring 2027; its funding includes city, county, and state grant sources. Officials also discussed water-main and bridge maintenance, sewer separation, a possible grant-supported fiber network expansion, and a $340,000 energy-efficiency incentive for a townhome development. The city said it is reviewing contracts and services, including automated license-plate reader agreements, but made no contract decision at the town hall.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** September 27, 2026

### Sources
- [Summer Civics Series: Finalized Budget Town Hall](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L6_r1r15q8) - City of Aurora, IL