Elmhurst reviews FY2026 budget; staff detail proposed cuts, strategic plan and major projects

The Elmhurst Committee of the Whole spent Monday night reviewing the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, as city staff described department line items and potential cuts ahead of a council vote later this month.

Assistant City Manager Kent Johnson told the council the administration cost center removes a full‑time contract position in favor of a part‑time city employee and includes "$30,000 for a strategic plan update plan for 2026." He also described a $5,000 reduction in employee training and other small adjustments intended to help close the budget gap.

Why it matters: councilors repeatedly pressed for more detail on discretionary accounts and potential downstream impacts of cuts. Alderman Brennan asked about the jump in Professional Services (line 530,110); Johnson said the delta reflects the strategic‑planning placeholder and a $50,000 lobbyist placeholder tied to the train‑station effort that has not been spent. The communications and marketing cost center proposes about $180,000 in public‑information spending for 2026—roughly $40,000 less than the prior year—covering photography, mailings and event marketing.

The meeting covered department‑level metrics and program changes. Staff reported the planning division handled 17 conditional‑use/PUD/variation cases in 2025 and is updating the 1992 zoning ordinance; the building department issued roughly 2,000 permits year‑to‑date with a total construction valuation near $97 million and expects permit review times of about four weeks for standard applications. The finance office said the department’s budget decreased about 16% from 2025 to 2026 largely because of reduced training and lower banking fees under a new contract.

Council asked for follow‑up on several items—so‑called 'circle‑backs'—including: a historical breakdown of the Community Grant program and recent grants to businesses; the composition of consultant fees across general, capital and TIF funding sources; senior‑service impacts if proposed reductions to the taxi/Uber subsidy and Metropolitan Family Services hours proceed; and a list of parking lots the city rents and the associated fees. Staff agreed to return with the requested details.

The committee also tracked longer‑term capital questions. Johnson and staff reiterated that some proposed projects (the downtown plan, TIF reports, a sustainability update) are budgeted as placeholders and may be deferred. Several aldermen asked for committee or council consideration before committing to projects that would increase long‑term debt service.

The committee concluded by listing the agreed circle‑backs and moved to complete the budget review in time to consider adoption at the next scheduled meeting. A motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.