[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5983315,"mediaKeyId","5767122-22170709d129eeccb24f83bc70cdbaab","parentId",5767122,"title","City moves sidewalk and trail projects into street department budget; downtown loan fund shows one active loan","audioSeconds",62,"startMs",2314000,"endMs",2376000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5767122-22170709d129eeccb24f83bc70cdbaab&start=2314&end=2376","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5767122-22170709d129eeccb24f83bc70cdbaab/thumbnail_2314000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5983315/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/City-moves-sidewalk-and-trail-projects-into-street-department-budget-downtown-loan-fund-shows-one-active-loan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983315-6c273d660cc9f054dad8529c8586853c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775606901&Signature=YfPgaGsIO0-d-DXJrEObXE5fV5yJtJsrt~NeJ7MsKUJyiXP0M4kXsCF~pojomUpFiuot3U37EMauzeimGqPUOwtVM4dvVL5f1dI~xanyiMThGaQ0-M4vsw44Eza~wW09gXkayYgfMirDK4d9To44cjVG58tiR7JLy~u91SCcUWToQ1Hhznrnbcq~q-HdHoYhhxjN0ydIRNhZvNXfFCC7mIZrrxtNyXv0uWxvF7sI1IVhWoE5VdUvTtGrYJRnj5wFp4u-djXA5IEofAOS~uilFUpawOyfX3x3z5wD6YupZwr2SdQ4PHiyGIbqCV4b2U4Vf4UYQZik1-gZdJU23CbVRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Freeport, IL","date","2025-09-16T11:16:46Z","article","City staff told the Finance Committee of the Whole that two line items previously funded in the Projects Fund—the sidewalk fund and the Gene Adams Trail / Pecatonica Prairie Path—have been transferred to the Street Department budget on an auditor recommendation. Staff said the Projects Fund will show zero revenue and zero expenses for 2026 as a result of the transfer.

Regarding the Downtown Revitalization Loan Fund, staff said the city currently has one active loan from that fund and that all available funds have been programmed for 2026; if a new loan request is received staff will adjust the programming at that time. The presentation closed after these items and the committee recessed to the next regular finance meeting schedule.

Committee members asked a procedural question about where to budget for a proposed lighting program; staff directed that street‑lighting options would be discussed in the Street Department budget or the street light budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance Committee of the Whole - 9/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Per auditor recommendation, sidewalk and trail projects were moved from the projects fund into the street department budget; the downtown revitalization loan fund currently has one active loan and all available funds are programmed for 2026.","taxTitle","Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois","taxId",70202,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983318,"Committee reviews multiple TIF budgets; members press staff for clearer \"miscellaneous\" descriptions",746,1233000,1979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5767122-22170709d129eeccb24f83bc70cdbaab&start=1233&end=1979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5767122-22170709d129eeccb24f83bc70cdbaab/thumbnail_1233000.jpg","/articles/5983318/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Committee-reviews-multiple-TIF-budgets-members-press-staff-for-clearer-miscellaneous-descriptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983318-7eb3577db1387fcd56aa7039e9427a07/orig.mp4?Expires=1775606901&Signature=GYZEXAqcSxaNgeiftVrOyVoG1KDt-nIluO8TM6B~cDtfsTiBoTVP9a6u5L6lZuDpl2nE2BGOM7sNRtGprYcE7P8u3Xopera0wj5WfyPMu3Wcj8ZUPLYFZ5E~BvVEHJt5Bs7NT2zaRdIrQWhdlX6bLPRlslvHy-fGzmyDL~1R1sE13SDacrzzvtA4V-wa-VK23zqqNb-gkvtEZjp~oeLmfAiXf5mhAVAjOpVcOlT6aBuRfUPfzmZnidTVq0lDLeX96lqdweUiD903lMOBr9fp0Vr6sGItcXhhFeHQEZbBkkGOVN25j9AT9iDDAZXVxD-YC-sXPx6MXVb1iu87ntnpYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented tax increment financing (TIF) budgets for several districts and described proposed expenses that include attorney fees, Greater Freeport Partnership dues, redevelopment agreements and site‑improvement pools. During discussion, several alderpersons asked for clearer breakdowns of broad \"miscellaneous\" or \"site improvement\" line items and how redevelopment agreements would be handled if projects arise.

In the Downtown TIF presentation staff proposed increasing the façade improvement grant to $100,000 and identified active redevelopment agreements tied to projects including the Hampton Inn and Merritt Crane. The Downtown TIF also carries bond debt tied to prior demolition and redevelopment projects (2015 and 2018 bonds), and staff identified transfers to debt service for principal and interest.

For the Lamb Road TIF staff noted a redevelopment agreement with TriStar and said the fund would contribute to the Walnut Lift Station project; staff projected using roughly half of the approved lift‑station funds in 2025 and the remainder in 2026. Staff explained that the site‑improvement budget lines are intended to allow staff and council to respond if a redevelopment opportunity—such as demolition, landscaping or infrastructure for a proposed private project—comes forward during the year. When asked what \"miscellaneous\" covers, staff said the line can include potential demolition, landscaping, small repairs or other site improvements that would be brought back to council with specific project details before any funds are committed.

Several exchanges grew heated during the Lamb Road miscellaneous discussion as one alderperson pressed repeatedly for a definitive breakdown of the miscellaneous estimate. The chair and other members asked for order; staff reiterated that the miscellaneous line is a placeholder that would be itemized in subsequent council action if a specific project is proposed.

The Meadows TIF presentation listed redevelopment agreements including Culver's and a JJ Ventures/Joanna Fabrics arrangement; staff said the JJ Ventures payment structure requires auditor‑directed payments from a specific expense line. The West Avenue and Burchard Avenue TIF presentations followed the same format, noting potential future RDAs and site repairs.

Alderman Stacy moved to stop reviewing the budget at that point to allow more study; the motion was seconded but failed on a recorded roll call. The roll call on the motion to stop the budget recorded votes as follows: Simmons, Stacy and Sanders voted \"Aye\"; Clem, Johnson, Parker and Schadel voted \"No.\" The chair later corrected the tally and announced the motion failed 3‑4. No TIF budgets were approved in committee; staff will return with further detail in future sessions.","The finance committee reviewed Downtown, Lamb Road, West Avenue, Burchard Avenue and Meadows TIF budgets, including increased façade grant funding, redevelopment agreements and Lamb Road Walnut Lift Station work; alderpersons pressed staff to clarify broad \"miscellaneous/site improvement\" line items, and a motion to pause the budget failed 4‑3.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983320,"Fire budget spotlights Central Station window replacement, PFAS‑free turnout gear funding and ambulance revenue transfer",45,729000,774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5767122-22170709d129eeccb24f83bc70cdbaab&start=729&end=774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5767122-22170709d129eeccb24f83bc70cdbaab/thumbnail_729000.jpg","/articles/5983320/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/Fire-budget-spotlights-Central-Station-window-replacement-PFASfree-turnout-gear-funding-and-ambulance-revenue-transfer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983320-6d77e23fbe923f168d16d8fc5a9dee6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775606901&Signature=fbt4GH0derc9WFlBTUUT7VU0OcmrSmYovWbxAs4wWyXRxB-39wnkYHOBayNBS~VT9L5OIe6dLgfTisctcff-rm7SBNQe9D5cVIjAM5HJ7l4v9dXlXySFfhEhaWMhD6sgn7byA9RjCU0OF~kDF93c~DGMAvOGIAmO2IpiY5X9GT5Z~zWiC2SSBGktqBjtmAHbRsrKSn3xYG3Szj3kBgo0g5C6GMUKU13CZ42vdYJY~tbFknsyMetRPdXYviXVEQdH16cK4KMt~pb4fyxXMH-M-Lp5czJ1KFIyfj6EpaK0ksIT~HFzJHC3gekpNA~5W~R0vtn0nH3gIt3ujYp2DDTYBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Fire department leadership and city staff presented the 2026 fire budgets and capital requests to the Finance Committee of the Whole. The presentation called attention to building repairs at Central Station and to a planned contingency for future PFAS‑free turnout gear.

On personnel costs, staff reported cost‑of‑living increases to nonbargaining and bargaining fire wages and a projected $150,000 increase in health insurance for 2026. \"Both line items increased by cost of living,\" the presentation said; overtime for fire was projected to decrease.

Under capital and improvement items, the chief described Central Station's aging windows and provided an estimated replacement cost of about $400,000 based on vendor review; the building was described as roughly 84 years old with windows dating to the 1970s. The chief told the committee the 400,000 estimate reflects escalation since similar work 8 years earlier cost about $141,000. The chief said some windows leak and one window incident injured a firefighter, requiring a short workers'‑comp leave.

On turnout gear, the department said it has carried $100,000 in a line item for two years while waiting for PFAS‑free turnout gear to become available; staff said that gear is not yet commercially available. The department proposed increasing that line by $50,000 to prepare for purchase when vendors can supply PFAS‑free options. \"Right now, it does not exist, so we're not going to expend those monies until the industry comes up with a safe turnout gear,\" the chief said. By National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards turnout gear is replaced every 10 years; staff said current gear is about six to seven years into service.

The fire improvement fund, which accounts for ambulance revenues and capital purchases, was explained as subject to an ordinance that calls for a yearly transfer of 54% of revenues (excluding collection/administrative fees) to the general fund. Revenue sources cited included ambulance service fees, ALS upgrades, GEMT revenue, collections and use of prior fund balance. The city presented projected expenditures tied to those revenues and said projections are in line with 2025.

No formal budget vote on the fire elements occurred at the meeting. Staff said these items will be carried forward in the committee's ongoing 2026 budget review.","Fire staff projected a 2026 increase in health insurance and pension contributions, proposed a roughly $400,000 window replacement at Central Station, and requested an additional $50,000 contingency for PFAS‑free turnout gear when available; ambulance revenues will transfer 54% to the general fund per ordinance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983321,"City reviews police budget with wage, insurance and body‑camera spending increases",107,149000,256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5767122-22170709d129eeccb24f83bc70cdbaab&start=149&end=256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5767122-22170709d129eeccb24f83bc70cdbaab/thumbnail_149000.jpg","/articles/5983321/Freeport/Stephenson-County/Illinois/City-reviews-police-budget-with-wage-insurance-and-bodycamera-spending-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983321-d9d4e8c5be14a4f76a75aebbbd891212/orig.mp4?Expires=1775606901&Signature=URAv7Bmpka8KOyDrenljuBPbxQUFNhjVUmGF89gp7vNMsiKisYbfSKAgVmFMRsAm8gGHAV9~aShdr3JwSJugQ67v0ylap56JFw7E3HUIjTDaP~BQr3aburls45NxahQZMWnAioKWmPDON3Ddu~TsSz0G~vo3Bsj4DwOSRTe~fuCEO0Gn7XM9l8x9DGYyKLJdqdJTzfJqZ1YHA3z1JwAeWvyrJay8wZlN5e7YVpKw-Y3xjlVmkDAMko60fm8VPQqT8UiOgIq8~wOrh73lVS59IHeplxeo6xrtQyFccc1QsaljI4ythZrUPh3muKkNouQlwrDOSP91oMkoSjjj8~Gobw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager Boyer and police leaders presented the proposed 2026 police budget to the Finance Committee of the Whole, highlighting higher wages, benefit costs and several capital equipment items while saying no additional sworn positions are included. \"So tonight, we're gonna start out with the police general fund budget,\" City Manager Boyer said at the meeting. Police leadership said the budget includes contingency purchases for body‑worn cameras and other equipment.

The proposal lists a $70,300 increase in nonbargaining wages (line 101‑151‑5000) and a $261,155 increase for police wages tied to the outcome of recent contract negotiations (line 101‑151‑5015). \"There's no additional staff here, so this essentially is related to the negotiations,\" Manager Boyer said. Health insurance for police is budgeted to rise by $166,915 for fiscal 2026 (line 101‑151‑5220), and the police pension contribution will increase to the amount determined by the city actuary (line 101‑151‑5255). The city noted it also makes annual bond payments for pension obligation bonds and that funds have been set aside for police and fire pensions.

Police capital requests include line‑item amounts for multiple small purchases: $5,000 for additional surveillance cameras, $5,000 for a new water fountain, $10,000 for an equipment shed, $10,000 for awning replacement, $12,000 for two speed signs and $14,500 budgeted for 10 additional body cameras (all shown under machinery/equipment over $1,000). The police chief said the department \"did add 10 body worn cameras\" and that the city budgeted for an additional 10 as a contingency should appropriations elsewhere fall through.

The budget also shows a $15,000 increase for consulting services used to prepare a reapplication for the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) grant, which operates on a three‑year cycle. Separately, the drug forfeiture fund—controlled by the police and restricted to specified uses—was presented with no change from the prior year.

Discussion at the meeting emphasized that the wage increases reflect negotiated settlements and that the capital equipment requests do not fund new sworn positions. No vote on the police budget occurred at the meeting; the presentation will be carried forward as part of the committee's 2026 budget review process.","City Manager Boyer and police staff outlined proposed 2026 increases to police wages, health insurance and pension contributions and described $14,500 in budgeted body‑camera purchases and other capital equipment; no new sworn positions were proposed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City moves sidewalk and trail projects into street department budget; downtown loan fund shows one active loan

Committee reviews multiple TIF budgets; members press staff for clearer "miscellaneous" descriptions

Fire budget spotlights Central Station window replacement, PFAS‑free turnout gear funding and ambulance revenue transfer

City reviews police budget with wage, insurance and body‑camera spending increases