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Aurora East USD 131 committee reviews FY26 tentative budget, plans public posting and hearing
Summary
The Finance and Personnel Committee reviewed the district—s FY26 tentative budget, discussed updated revenue and expense figures and utility savings efforts, and noted the resolution to adopt the tentative budget will go to the full board and be posted for public inspection.
The Finance and Personnel Committee of Aurora East USD 131 reviewed the district—s FY26 tentative budget and agreed to send a resolution to the full board to adopt the tentative budget and post it for public inspection.
Dr. Michael Engel, staff member, led the presentation and said the committee would send a resolution to adopt the FY26 tentative budget and post a legal ad and the budget on public display. "So tonight, we're gonna have the resolution to adopt the FY26 tentative budget. After tonight's meeting, we're gonna post the legal ad and also put the budget on public display," Engel said.
The committee heard detailed revenue and expense figures for FY26. Engel reported total revenues of $263,111,121.28 and total expenses of $263,068,008.11, characterizing the budget as essentially balanced with a roughly $243,000 margin. He said 76% of the budget is in the education fund, with operations and maintenance and debt service making up the next-largest shares. State funding was described as the major revenue source at approximately $179,800,000 (68.3%), federal funds at about 9.6%, and local funding at 22.1%.
The presentation listed several assumptions and adjustments used to build the tentative budget: an assumed CPPRT decrease of about 20%; interest rates at 4%; a 3.75% average salary increase; benefits up about 8%; purchase services up 3%; transportation costs up roughly 4%; and federally funded programs down approximately $2,000,000 compared with the prior year. Engel also said evidence-based funding numbers had been incorporated where available.
Committee members asked about utility costs and an equipment-tuning program. Engel described a partnership involving Trane and ComEd to "fine tuning" HVAC equipment to improve energy efficiency and reduce usage, saying, "I think their terms were anywhere from 20 to 25 kind of percent savings, based upon some slight inputs." He said the district will monitor usage and that utility contracts run through FY27.
Timeline and next steps explained by staff included posting the legal notice for 30 days and placing the tentative budget on the district—s website and in a binder for public inspection. Engel said a public hearing and board vote on the budget are planned for the Sept. 15 board meeting. The committee did not record a committee vote on the final adoption; the resolution is scheduled for full-board action.
The committee also reviewed object- and fund-level breakdowns, noting salaries and benefits represent roughly two-thirds of expenditures and transportation and debt service are material line items. Staff said capital projects and open purchase orders from FY25 are accounted for in FY26 capital projects.
The committee adjourned following the discussion.
