Princeton council adopts budget, adjusts solar buyback rate and OKs multiple labor, procurement and personnel measures; councilor objects to $25,000 Chamber fee

The Princeton City Council approved a fiscal budget ordinance, revised the municipal solar buyback rate and adopted several labor agreements, procurement resolutions and personnel-policy updates at its meeting. A council member objected to a $25,000 line item proposed for the Princeton Chamber of Commerce but the budget ordinance passed on its second and final reading.

The actions taken included passage of ordinance O-25-009 adopting the fiscal year 2025–26 budget, ordinance O-25-010 revising the solar credit to $0.038 per watt-hour, resolution R-25-012 authorizing a labor agreement with the Princeton Professional Firefighters Local 4308, resolution R-25-013 authorizing a labor agreement extension with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 51, resolution R-25-014 awarding contracts for water-treatment chemicals to low bidders, resolution R-25-015 authorizing maintenance work funded by the city—s Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) allocation, approval of city benefits handbook and personnel manual updates, several board reappointments, approval of minutes and invoices, and scheduling the council—s next regular meeting.

Why it matters: the budget ordinance sets municipal spending for the coming fiscal year; changes to the solar credit affect how the city credits small-scale solar generators; labor agreements change wage scales for critical municipal employees; and procurement and MFT approvals move capital and maintenance work toward contracting and execution.

Budget and objection A motion to approve ordinance O-25-009 (the fiscal 2025–26 budget, second and final reading) passed. During discussion a council member raised a formal objection to line item 11-000-741, a $25,000 payment listed under economic development to the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, saying the payment "is not justified." The council member asked that the objection be recorded as a point of order; after procedural discussion the council proceeded to a roll-call vote and approved the ordinance.

Solar credit Ordinance O-25-010, the second and final reading to revise the municipal solar credit, passed. The ordinance sets the solar buyback at $0.038 per watt-hour; staff described the adjustment as an accounting response to usage and the method the city uses to purchase back excess solar-generated power.

Labor agreements Staff presented resolution R-25-012, a labor agreement between the City of Princeton and Princeton Professional Firefighters Local 4308. Staff noted the contract packet includes an appendix listing wage changes: a 6% increase in year 1 and 3.5% in years 2 and 3. After brief remarks in support, the council approved the resolution.

Resolution R-25-013, extending the agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 51, also passed. Staff told council the union requested a one-year extension; the motion did not change contract language but adjusted wages. The record notes a 3.5% across-the-board increase for most positions, with targeted wage-scale adjustments for certain operator classifications.

Procurement and maintenance Resolution R-25-014 authorizes awarding contracts to low bidders for water-treatment chemicals. Staff said chemical costs have increased; companies named in the discussion included Brenntag, Raul Chemical (sodium hypochlorite), and S. J. Smith (carbon dioxide). The council approved the award.

Resolution R-25-015 authorizes the city—s MFT (Motor Fuel Tax) maintenance resolution and will be sent to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to begin the bidding process for MFT-funded projects; the council approved the resolution.

Personnel and administrative items Council voted to approve updates to the city benefits handbook and personnel manual; staff described the changes as language clarifications and incorporation of recent statutory changes affecting part-time labor. The council also approved minutes from the regular meeting on 04/07/2025 and a special meeting on 04/15/2025, approved city invoices presented at the meeting (including amounts read into the record by department), and confirmed several board and commission reappointments, all by roll call.

Votes at a glance (selected measures) - Ordinance O-25-009 (budget, FY beginning 05/01/2025): approved (second and final reading). - Ordinance O-25-010 (solar credit to $0.038 per watt-hour): approved (second and final reading). - Resolution R-25-012 (firefighters labor agreement, Local 4308): approved; packet lists wage increases of 6% (year 1), 3.5% (year 2), 3.5% (year 3). - Resolution R-25-013 (IBEW Local 51 labor agreement extension): approved; one-year extension noted, 3.5% wage increase for most positions; targeted operator wage adjustments included. - Resolution R-25-014 (award contracts for water-treatment chemicals): approved; low bidders named in staff summary (Brenntag; Raul Chemical for sodium hypochlorite; S. J. Smith for carbon dioxide). - Resolution R-25-015 (MFT maintenance authorization to IDOT): approved. - Benefits handbook and personnel manual updates: approved. - Minutes (04/07/2025 regular; 04/15/2025 special): approved. - Invoices presented by department (amounts read into record): approved.

Council scheduling and next steps Council scheduled its next regular meeting for Monday, May 5, 2025, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Several agenda items approved at this meeting (contracts, MFT-funded projects) proceed to procurement and bidding phases or to implementation by relevant departments.

Attributions and sources City Manager Theresa Whitnauer read the city manager report and indicated there were no additional items in her report. A staff member identified as Teresa summarized labor agreement details and procurement vendors during the meeting packet presentations. Mayor Raymond M. Mabry presided and read the mayor—s Arbor Day proclamation during the meeting.

Ending note The meeting record shows routine approvals across fiscal, labor, procurement and personnel items, and a single recorded formal objection to a budget line item; the council nevertheless adopted the budget on its final reading and cleared the other agenda items for implementation.