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Elmhurst approves FY2026 budget with restored senior funding, authorizes purchase of new fire truck
Summary
The Elmhurst City Council on Nov. 17 adopted the FY2026 budget 14–0 after passing an amendment that restores senior services (funded by reduced property liability insurance). The council also approved a 2026 Pierce pumper-rescue fire truck and passed the remainder of the consent agenda.
The Elmhurst City Council unanimously approved a budget and appropriation ordinance for fiscal year 2026 on Nov. 17 after adopting an amendment to restore funding for senior services.
The council approved an amendment offered by Alderman Brennan to increase three senior-related lines: senior assistance from $42,000 to $67,000; seniors tax subsidy from $55,000 to $85,000; and the senior citizen council grant from $25,000 to $50,000. The amendment reduced the property liability insurance line from $332,000 to $217,000 to cover the increases. Alderman Erby seconded the amendment; the roll-call vote on the amendment was 14 ayes, 0 nays. The main budget ordinance (item 6.11) then passed by the same margin.
Why it matters: the amendment restores services for older residents that had been reduced in the draft budget and funds them by reallocating an insurance line item, a move council members said was possible because of lower-than-expected insurance costs revealed during the finance review.
Other measures: the council approved the consent agenda (minus items 6.8 and 6.11) by roll call (14–0), which included minutes and accounts payable for November 2025 totaling $4,305,160.37. The council also passed ordinance 8.1 authorizing the purchase of a 2026 Pierce Enforcer pumper-rescue truck and the disposal of a 2009 truck. Council members noted the 2009 truck had about 108,000 miles and roughly $300,000 in lifetime repairs; officials said expedited approval secures a vehicle already in the dealer queue and could reduce delivery time to 12–14 months versus a three-year wait.
Alderman Brennan said the expedited purchase included a potential $25,000 cash value for the sale of the existing truck to offset costs. "If we get this approved tonight and expedite it, we can get it here in 12 to 14 months," Brennan said. "If not, it'll be three years." The ordinance authorizing the purchase passed on a roll-call vote of 14 ayes, 0 nays.
What's next: with the budget adopted, city staff will implement the approved FY2026 appropriations and incorporate the restored senior-service allocations. The city manager also noted administrative items, including a new communications manager starting this week and an open citizen survey on the city website.
Ending: the council concluded other business and adjourned after approving the budget and the truck purchase.
