LaSalle’s Finance Committee on July 7 reviewed the proposed fiscal year 2026 appropriation ordinance and discussed updated revenue figures and expected fund decreases ahead of the council hearing planned for the same night.

The review matters because committee members say several city funds show decreases that would be covered in part by existing reserves but that drawing down reserves repeatedly would be unsustainable. Committee members also reported that tax increment financing (TIF) revenue figures have been finalized and incorporated into the ordinance package.

Committee members said the combined total of all funds shows a deficit of about $3,900,000, described in the meeting record as the total of all funds. The ordinance packet cited an estimated decrease in the general fund of roughly $775,000 (see ordinance, page 8) and an estimated decrease in the water fund of about $1,300,000 (see ordinance, pages 14–16). The record notes the water fund has reserves that were intentionally saved for planned infrastructure improvements.

Committee staff confirmed the TIF revenue numbers were delayed while moving through the county and the TIF administrator but are now included in the final packet. The committee also confirmed that the city posted a public notice in the newspaper and made appropriation documents available at city hall and online ahead of the council hearing.

Members discussed limits on cross-fund transfers, with one participant noting that while fund balances could cover shortfalls once, they are not a sustainable long-term solution. The meeting record includes a brief aside referencing water sourcing projects in neighboring South Elgin but did not tie that comment to a specific policy decision for LaSalle.

No formal committee vote on the appropriation was taken at the finance meeting; the committee prepared to take final action at the city council hearing later that evening.