Weston board reviews preliminary 2026 budget, discusses SAFER staffing request and pool partnership

The Village of Weston board on Monday reviewed preliminary figures for the village's 2026 budget and agreed to return with department-level detail in September and October for further discussion.

The presentation, given by village staff, laid out fund structure, recent revenue trends and proposed changes. "As a reminder, the budget is a mathematical confirmation of your suspicions. There is no magic calculator. There is no crystal ball," Jessica, a village staff member, told trustees as she walked through slides showing major revenue and expense drivers.

Why it matters: the board is preparing a budget that must fit within state levy limits and local priorities while responding to rising personnel and benefit costs. Staff said they plan to prepare smaller, department-level briefings and bring department heads to upcoming meetings so trustees can review specific service levels and trade-offs.

Key facts and figures presented

- The village's net new construction percentage for the next taxing year is 2.29%, "Village of Weston's net new construction percentage for, for the next taxing year is 2.29%," Jessica said, citing state assessment data and a roughly $40,000,000 figure in recent new construction. - Fund 10 (the general fund) includes core services (police, fire, streets, parks, elections) and records roughly $2,500,000 in wages and benefits, staff said. - The preliminary 2026 general-fund…