Saint Charles adopts FY2025–26 budget, capital plan and approves USDA signatory resolution

The Village of Saint Charles on March 2025 approved its fiscal year 2025–26 budget and related financial measures, adopted a six-year capital improvement plan and authorized a resolution required to pursue a USDA Rural Development (RD) loan/grant tied to a roughly $1 million congressional appropriation.

The council held a truth-in-taxation public hearing before votes. Village staff said the combined levy in the proposed budget totals 15 mills — a 12.8029 mill base plus a 2.1971 road millage — and described a one-time increase in fund balance driven largely by grant receipts and upcoming bond payments.

Why it matters: The adopted budget finances a multi‑year water improvement program that will raise near‑term spending and debt service while relying on state and federal grants and a congressional appropriation. The village manager and staff said roughly $350,000 of the fund balance will be used for bond payments on a $5.2 million water project and $250,000 is reserved to meet a 25% local match tied to the congressional…