McLean County committee unanimously approves FY26 departmental budgets and five-year highway capital plan

The McLean County Land Use and Transportation Committee voted unanimously to approve multiple fiscal-year 2026 budgets and a five-year capital improvement plan at its meeting on the committee’s regular agenda.

The committee approved the Department of Building and Zoning’s recommended FY26 budget, which staff presented as $405,415. Administration staff said 71% of that amount is salary and fringe and that the department’s budget rose about 2% from FY25. "The McLean County Department of Building and Zoning is responsible for regulating construction activities in the unincorporated areas of McLean County," County staff said during the presentation.

Members next approved the Solid Waste Management Fund budget, which funds the Ecology Action Center. Staff noted an increase driven by employee and fringe-benefit changes required under the county’s solid-waste agreement; total fund expenses were presented as $38,250 for FY26.

The committee then approved budgets covering the Highway Department’s multiple operating funds: the Highway Fund, Bridge Matching Fund, County Matching Fund and the Motor Fuel Tax Fund. County staff said 2026 expenses across the Highway Department funds total $20,579,489 and that capital assets account for a large share of those expenses. Staff discussed requested salary-grade changes for project managers and adding engineering technician positions while keeping the total number of full-time equivalents roughly level to increase hiring flexibility.

Committee discussion included equipment purchases and maintenance needs. Highway staff detailed planned equipment replacements (an attenuator/follow truck, tandems, a mini excavator), underground fuel-tank upgrades or replacement to meet fire-marshal requirements, and a large Hudson West reconstruction project scheduled for 2026. The Motor Fuel Tax Fund will support maintenance and a major project; staff said they expect roughly $330,000 in monthly MFT allotments and about $650,000 per year in a consolidated allotment. The Hudson West reconstruction was described as the largest 2026 item; staff estimated roughly $5 million of MFT spending on that project in 2026 and said the overall 2026 program lists about seven projects totaling roughly $13 million.

Finally, the committee adopted a five-year capital improvement plan that lists projects and funding through 2030; staff noted the plan is subject to change as grant opportunities and funding availability evolve. Committee members asked for historical comparisons on projected versus actual costs and were told that federal and state grant programs (for example, past Rebuild Illinois funding and potential TARP opportunities) affect what staff can program each year.

Votes at a glance

- Building & Zoning FY26 recommended budget: Motion by Member Reeves, second by Member Abel; outcome: approved unanimously. - Solid Waste Management Fund FY26 recommended budget: Motion by Member Duffy, second by Member Fagan; outcome: approved unanimously. - Highway Department FY26 budgets (Highway Fund 0120; Bridge Matching Fund 0121; County Matching Fund 0122; Motor Fuel Tax Fund 0123): Motion by Member Reeves, second by Member Zibarth; outcome: approved unanimously. - Highway five-year capital improvement plan (2026–2030), including 2026 projects totaling roughly $13 million and the Hudson West reconstruction (largest single 2026 project): Motion by Member Loeffler, second by Member Duffy; outcome: approved unanimously.

Committee Chair Clinton called the votes and each passed unanimously; the transcript records votes as "aye" rather than roll-call tallies.