Housing authority board adopts 2026 utility and rent schedules, endorses staff pay adjustments

The housing authority board on balance approved several policy items for 2026, including a new in-house utility allowance for special vouchers and project-based vouchers, updated MTW payment standards and a flat-tier rent schedule, and later authorized staff salary increases.

Staff presented Resolution 2026-1 to establish an in-house flat utility allowance that will be applied to special vouchers (including VASH and foster-youth vouchers) and project-based voucher calculations. Staff said moving the calculation in house will eliminate the need for an annual external study and provide a credit to households to reduce their rent burden.

The board also approved Resolution 2026-2, the annual MTW payment standards for the Champaign County area, which staff said are determined primarily by census-tract data and a research team study. Resolution 2026-3 updated the 2026 MTW flat-tier rent schedule; staff noted a drop in the county median income cited in the presentation and estimated the new schedule represents about a 4% reduction in rents for many households compared with last year.

After a closed session to discuss personnel and real property, the board voted to approve staff salary increases of up to 4% tied to evaluations and a performance-based bonus structure that staff described as a 5% total opportunity composed of an initial 1% and additional portions tied to quarterly goals.

All motions were moved and seconded and were approved by roll call during the open meeting. The actions will be reflected in the agency's 2026 program administration and personnel budgets.

Votes at a glance:
- Resolution 2026-1 (utility allowance): approved (roll call recorded affirmative votes from present commissioners).
- Resolution 2026-2 (MTW/payment standards): approved (roll call recorded affirmative votes from present commissioners).
- Resolution 2026-3 (MTW flat-tier rent schedule): approved (roll call recorded affirmative votes from present commissioners).
- Staff salary increases and performance bonuses (item 5f): approved after closed session (roll call recorded affirmative votes).

Next steps: staff will implement the in-house utility allowance, update tenant calculations under the new flat-tier schedule, and proceed with payroll adjustments and bonus administration as described by staff.