Finance Director Kevin Singh told the City of Joliet pre‑council meeting on Dec. 1 that the draft FY2026 budget focuses heavily on capital projects, estimating the comprehensive budget at "just shy of $650,000,000." He said capital funding sources include casino gaming revenues, motor fuel tax allotments, grants and debt.

Singh said the capital government fund includes "just shy of $23,500,000 for roads and sidewalks," enough to cover roughly 43 lane miles of roadwork. He also listed a $7,000,000 allocation for a public safety institute in partnership with Joliet Junior College and a roughly $300,000 line for continued deployment of citywide security cameras.

On water infrastructure, Singh said the budget programs "almost $28,000,000" for improvements needed to accept Lake Michigan water and about $38,000,000 toward the city’s contribution to the Grand Prairie Water Commission. He described sewer and water capital as funded through dedicated utility rates, loans, bonds and low‑interest programs from the Illinois EPA.

Singh provided a general fund breakdown and revenue overview, saying the general fund is approximately $222,000,000 and listing major expense and revenue lines including about $153,000,000 for workforce pay and benefits and an estimated $81,000,000 share from state income tax distributions.

When a council member asked whether funding was set aside for weed and landscape maintenance in entryways and intersections, Singh said he had discussed the issue with Public Works Director Greg Ruddy and that "at least $200,000" is allocated for weed and landscape maintenance.

Singh said draft budgets were released and reminded the council that a public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 2 to receive comment, and that the council could still change the budget before a potential adoption on Dec. 16.

The presentation drew additional council requests for one‑on‑one follow‑ups on sidewalk project breakdowns and for consideration of higher, dedicated sidewalk spending under the roads/sidewalks umbrella.