Rock Island council adopts FY2026 budget, approves property tax levy and utility rate increases

The Rock Island City Council on a roll-call vote adopted the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget and approved a series of ordinances that raise several municipal rates and set property levies.

The council passed the FY2026 budget (ordinance 7A) after a motion and roll call. Council members then approved the city property tax levy for the 2026 fiscal year and a downtown special services area levy of $310,683 for collection in FY2026.

On utilities, the council approved a 12% increase in refuse service rates to take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The body also adopted ordinances establishing annual increases of 5.5% for water, wastewater and stormwater rates effective Jan. 1, 2026, to continue for the next four years. Those measures were approved on their respective second readings and carried by roll call.

Council members raised questions during debate about timing and scope but made clear the increases are intended to fund ongoing service and system costs. The council record shows mixed votes on some items; the property levy and most rate ordinances passed with majority ayes.

The water, wastewater and stormwater increases are set to be implemented beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and the refuse increase is also effective on that date. The measures place new revenues in city operating and utility funds to cover service delivery and capital needs.

What’s next: the new budget and rate changes will be implemented beginning Jan. 1, 2026, consistent with each ordinance’s effective date. The council also moved forward with related capital and procurement items later in the meeting.