The Village of Deerfield Board of Trustees on Oct. 20, 2025, approved a report and recommendation from the village Cable and Telecommunications Commission to extend T‑Mobile’s lease on the village water tower.

Cable and Telecommunications Commission staff explained that the water tower currently hosts two carriers, T‑Mobile and Verizon, and that T‑Mobile’s contract — originally structured as successive three‑year terms since 2007 — will expire in 2028. The commission recommended keeping the existing payment structure: the annual rent in 2025 was stated as $48,619.60, with a 4% annual escalator, applied for another seven three‑year terms (a 21‑year extension) starting in 2028.

"There are currently 2 on the water tower, T Mobile and Verizon. The T Mobile contract is gonna expire in 2028," the presenter said, describing the site's lease history and the commission's counter‑offer to keep the contract terms as-is.

Trustees asked about cell coverage in parts of the village. Board members noted poor reception at Zion Woods when they visited; staff reported they are working with Verizon and other representatives and that the plan is to install "4 to 5 small cell sites around Zion Woods" in 2026 to address reception problems. A staff member said the village also receives revenue from other tower and monopole sites (including a Crown Castle site and a North Shore Gas lease) and that the water-tower rents support the water fund.

The board voted to approve the commission's recommendation by roll call (Trustee Oppenheim: Yes; Trustee Benton: Yes; Trustee Berg: Yes; Trustee Goldstone: Yes; Trustee Greenberg: Yes; Trustee Jacobi: Yes). The motion passed.

Staff also noted operational details discussed at the meeting: part of the revenue from cellular leases is allocated to the village water fund; the presenters mentioned Red Center antennas on the village hall monopole used by the fire department and noted that satellite services could affect future tower revenues.

The vote accepted the commission's recommendation; staff and commissioners said the extension would provide long‑term revenue certainty and that separate efforts are underway to improve localized cell coverage in 2026.