Wellington adopts FY2026 budgets and rate increases for utilities, ACME, solid waste and Saddle Trail

Wellington Village Council on Tuesday adopted the village's fiscal year 2026 budgets and related non‑ad valorem assessments for the ACME Improvement District, the village utilities, solid waste collection and the Saddle Trail South improvement district.

The council approved four resolutions after a public hearing and staff presentation. The total proposed village budget for FY2026 is $155,900,000, an increase of $6,900,000 (4.7%) from the current year. The village plans to use about $7 million in reserves to balance the budget.

The four adopted actions were: an ACME Improvement District budget and non‑ad valorem assessment (AC2025‑06), adoption of the water and wastewater utility budget and user rates (AC2025‑07), the Wellington solid waste collection budget and assessment (R2025‑51) and the Saddle Trail Park neighborhood improvement district non‑ad valorem assessment (R2025‑52). All four measures passed on voice votes of 5‑0.

Why it matters: the package funds stormwater system upkeep, utility operations and capital improvements and solid waste services while keeping the village millage rate unchanged. Staff said the largest single increases in the proposed budget are for capital improvements, enhanced public safety, and expanded resident programs.

Key details - ACME assessment: proposed at $275 per assessed unit, an increase of $20 from $255. ACME funds stormwater and surface‑water infrastructure (pump stations, culverts, swales), preserve conservation and equestrian trail maintenance. Staff said ACME's FY2026 budget of $8,100,000 includes a multiyear rehabilitation program focused on seven pump stations and is the basis for major grant applications to improve resiliency and flood control. "This plan is the basis for major grant funding applications to improve resiliency and flood control," staff said at the presentation. - Utilities (water and wastewater): staff proposed a 10% user‑rate increase for FY2026 — described as the last year of a planned three‑year run of 10% increases — resulting in an average monthly bill increase of about $8.26. Staff told council this increase funds conversion projects (including membrane treatment to address PFAS regulation), ongoing rehabilitation and higher construction and chemical costs after multi‑year planning with an external consultant. Council members framed the increases as "short‑term pain for long‑term public safety" in order to keep the utility financially sound and compliant with forthcoming regulations. - Solid waste: proposed solid waste assessments increase to cover contract costs. Staff said the FY2026 solid waste budget is $7,800,000, a roughly $282,800 increase (about 4.58%) from FY2025. The vendor contract anticipates annual inflationary adjustments. - Saddle Trail: per‑acre assessment remains unchanged at the stated per‑acre rate; properties are assessed over a 15‑year term and this is the 10th year of that assessment.

Budget balances and reserves The FY2026 budget shows $148.9 million in revenues and $155.4 million in expenditures. The difference would be covered by planned use of about $7 million in fund balances: $2.3M general fund reserves; $784,000 in ACME reserves; $2.0M in road maintenance reserves; $238,000 in transportation impact fees; and $1.65M in utility reserves.

Public comment and council discussion During public comment residents raised concerns about the 10% water rate increase. One speaker said her bill had risen substantially over recent years and called the water charge "unaffordable." Council and staff responded by walking through the long‑range planning and regulatory drivers (PFAS rules) and noting grants and state revolving loan funds are being pursued to offset costs.

What comes next The council will present the village millage (no change proposed) in two public hearings in September; the first public hearing for the budget and capital improvement plan is scheduled for Sept. 3 and a second public hearing and adoption is set for Sept. 18.

Ending The four budget measures were adopted unanimously (5‑0). Council members said they would continue to monitor rates, pursue grant funding and review implementation timing for capital projects.