Kankakee council adopts fiscal 2025–26 budget; city says modest surplus retained
July 26, 2025 | Kankakee City, Kankakee County, Illinois
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The Kankakee City Council on July 21 adopted an ordinance approving the city's annual budget for the fiscal year May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026.
City officials said the adopted budget includes funding for new positions in planning and the comptroller's office, a $100,000 line for demolitions, $25,000 for owner-occupied home improvements and continued self-funded capital projects. The council approved the ordinance following two public hearings and committee review.
The budget packet presented to council showed revenues and expenses and a projected surplus described in committee as "a little over $114,000." Council members were told the city has been conservative in prior years and typically realizes revenue close to budgeted amounts while expenditures have trended under projections.
Councilmembers moved to suspend the rules to allow final reading and passage the same night. The motion to suspend and the final adoption both passed on roll call with no recorded nays.
The council also approved a separate annual appropriations ordinance for the Environmental Services Utility (ESU), which officials said carries a projected surplus and includes several self-funded capital items.
City staff and council members emphasized that the budget reflects continued emphasis on capital maintenance and neighborhood stabilization, and invited aldermen to contact city staff for details on planned capital and staffing allocations going forward.
Looking ahead, staff noted bond financings for general capital and ESU projects were under consideration and could appear for first reading in August, with potential market sale in September if council approves the borrowing plans.
City officials said the adopted budget includes funding for new positions in planning and the comptroller's office, a $100,000 line for demolitions, $25,000 for owner-occupied home improvements and continued self-funded capital projects. The council approved the ordinance following two public hearings and committee review.
The budget packet presented to council showed revenues and expenses and a projected surplus described in committee as "a little over $114,000." Council members were told the city has been conservative in prior years and typically realizes revenue close to budgeted amounts while expenditures have trended under projections.
Councilmembers moved to suspend the rules to allow final reading and passage the same night. The motion to suspend and the final adoption both passed on roll call with no recorded nays.
The council also approved a separate annual appropriations ordinance for the Environmental Services Utility (ESU), which officials said carries a projected surplus and includes several self-funded capital items.
City staff and council members emphasized that the budget reflects continued emphasis on capital maintenance and neighborhood stabilization, and invited aldermen to contact city staff for details on planned capital and staffing allocations going forward.
Looking ahead, staff noted bond financings for general capital and ESU projects were under consideration and could appear for first reading in August, with potential market sale in September if council approves the borrowing plans.
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