Belvidere City Council adopts 2026–27 budget after roll-call vote

The Belvidere City Council adopted its annual budget ordinance for fiscal year 2026–27 (Ordinance 753H) during its April 6 meeting, approving the document on a unanimous roll-call vote.

Alderman Peterson moved to adopt the ordinance, and Alderman Hoiness seconded. The council reviewed the ordinance on its second reading and then voted; the clerk recorded 10 votes in favor and none opposed.

During discussion, Alderman Albertini asked whether anticipated electric-tax revenue from a forthcoming Walmart distribution facility had been estimated and whether the additional electric load might push rate increases onto residents. Staff replied that revenue estimates were not yet available, that the facility’s cooling and ramp-up would take months, and that ComEd capacity is expected to accommodate the load without raising city electric rates. City staff noted recent ComEd rate changes are separate from local load questions.

The ordinance had been the subject of a public hearing earlier in the meeting; no members of the public testified during that hearing. Copies of the proposed ordinance had been made available at the city clerk’s office and notice had been published in the Belvidere Daily Republican on March 26, 2026.

Ordinance 753H now takes effect per the ordinance language; council members said staff will provide any follow-up information on revenue projections as it becomes available.