Oswego board amends 2026 budget to apply $5.2 million surplus to downtown grants, personnel reserve and capital projects
May 07, 2026 | Oswego, Kendall County, Illinois
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The Village of Oswego Board of Trustees on May 5 approved an ordinance amending the annual budget to allocate a $5.2 million general-fund surplus from the 2025 fiscal year.
Staff presented the plan to direct $255,000 to the downtown development program, reserve $145,000 for personnel needs (including potential midyear hiring and wage adjustments pending a compensation study) and transfer the remainder—about $4.8 million—to the capital fund for 2027 projects. "So staff is recommending allocating $255,000 of the 2025 general fund operating surplus to the downtown development program," Andrea, a village staff member who presented the analysis, told trustees.
Why it matters: Trustees said the funding would support an unusual surge of developer and tenant interest in the downtown and help convert vacant or underused spaces into leasable storefronts. Andrea cautioned the allocation is a one-time infusion and the board will reassess whether to continue similar funding during the October budget workshop. "I would say it's not a sustainable level year over year," Andrea said, recommending the board treat the allocations as a targeted response to current market interest.
Trustees pressed staff on the source and sustainability of the surplus. Staff said the bulk of the surplus resulted from higher-than-projected sales-tax receipts and departmental cost savings. One trustee urged caution: "I am concerned that this kind of funding may not be sustainable," the trustee said, calling for an ongoing review of demand before committing recurring dollars.
The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote with all trustees recorded in favor. The amended budget directs the specific one-time sums to the downtown development program and personnel reserve while leaving the balance to be programmed in the capital plan for 2027.
Next step: staff will present detailed project allocations for the capital transfer as part of the 2027 budget process and revisit downtown program funding at the October budget workshop.
Staff presented the plan to direct $255,000 to the downtown development program, reserve $145,000 for personnel needs (including potential midyear hiring and wage adjustments pending a compensation study) and transfer the remainder—about $4.8 million—to the capital fund for 2027 projects. "So staff is recommending allocating $255,000 of the 2025 general fund operating surplus to the downtown development program," Andrea, a village staff member who presented the analysis, told trustees.
Why it matters: Trustees said the funding would support an unusual surge of developer and tenant interest in the downtown and help convert vacant or underused spaces into leasable storefronts. Andrea cautioned the allocation is a one-time infusion and the board will reassess whether to continue similar funding during the October budget workshop. "I would say it's not a sustainable level year over year," Andrea said, recommending the board treat the allocations as a targeted response to current market interest.
Trustees pressed staff on the source and sustainability of the surplus. Staff said the bulk of the surplus resulted from higher-than-projected sales-tax receipts and departmental cost savings. One trustee urged caution: "I am concerned that this kind of funding may not be sustainable," the trustee said, calling for an ongoing review of demand before committing recurring dollars.
The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote with all trustees recorded in favor. The amended budget directs the specific one-time sums to the downtown development program and personnel reserve while leaving the balance to be programmed in the capital plan for 2027.
Next step: staff will present detailed project allocations for the capital transfer as part of the 2027 budget process and revisit downtown program funding at the October budget workshop.
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