Lake Forest council adopts FY26 appropriation ordinance, including rollovers and 10% contingency

Lake Forest — The City Council held a public hearing and approved the fiscal 2026 annual appropriation ordinance on final reading at the July 21 meeting. Director Katie Skibbe explained the appropriation ordinance provides the legal authority to expend public funds and differs from the city’s adopted budget. The ordinance incorporates the approved FY26 budget less debt payments, adds carryover (rollover) appropriations from FY25 so projects can continue into FY26, includes the library as a component unit for reporting purposes and adds a long‑standing 10% contingency to provide flexibility for unanticipated revenues or grants. Skibbe said the detailed rollover schedule is included in the council packet and that the contingency requires council approval for use by departments. She noted the appropriation ordinance also reflects the city’s statutory obligation to include School District 67’s budget as a component for reporting, even though the district adopts and manages its own budget. The council opened and closed the required public hearing with no members of the public speaking on the ordinance. The final reading and adoption passed on roll call by a 7‑0 vote.