Belvidere Council adopts $2026–27 budget after brief public hearing

Belvidere Mayor Clinton Morris and the city council adopted ordinance 753H, the city's annual budget for fiscal year 2026–27, by a 10'0to'00 roll-call vote at the April 6 meeting.

The council opened a public hearing on the proposed budget, read the published notice and where copies could be inspected, allowed public comment and then closed the hearing after no members of the public spoke. Mayor Clinton Morris then called for a final vote on the ordinance.

During discussion, Alderman Albertini asked staff for an estimate of electric-tax revenue associated with a new Walmart distribution center. City staff said the amount is unknown until the facility begins significant cooling and usage, and that any revenue will depend on kilowatt-hour consumption. Director Brent Anderson said the utility has reserve capacity and council members were told he did not expect the project to force a rate increase for residents.

The ordinance passed unanimously. The clerk recorded all ten council members answering in the affirmative: Albertini, Breton, Flurry, Frank, Gracowski, Hues, McGee, Montalbano, Peterson and Stevens.

The council did not amend the ordinance at final reading; staff indicated the budget documents remain available for public inspection at the city clerk's office.