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Lockport council previews $92.6 million budget; wastewater plant drives $52.5 million in infrastructure
Summary
Finance staff presented a FY2026 budget showing $92.6 million in revenues, $94.6 million in expenditures and $2.8 million of reserves to fund a $29 million IEPA loan for a three‑year wastewater treatment plant; a public hearing is set in two weeks and final approval is targeted for Dec. 3.
Lockport budget presenter Lisa laid out a proposed FY2026 budget during the council meeting, showing $92.6 million in city revenues and $94.6 million in proposed expenditures that rely on $2.8 million of reserves.
"This is a status quo budget," Lisa said, adding the city expects to use a $29,000,000 IEPA loan to fund a three‑year wastewater treatment plant project that drives much of the near‑term spending. She showed an infrastructure program of roughly $52,500,000 that includes water‑main and road reconstruction, lead service replacements, stormwater work, and a salt barn.
The presentation outlined revenue composition: water and sewer revenues at about 21% of the total; state and local taxes at 24%; and real‑estate taxes about 10%. Lisa said the general fund remains diversified, with police representing nearly half of general‑fund expenses.
Staff told council members the budget proposes a 3% volumetric increase in water and sewer rates next year and a $1 increase in the water and sewer surcharge. Lisa also said the city is asking for one new position (an in‑house IT manager) and that some operating line items were adjusted after department review, including repurposing a $330,000 consulting line into a stormwater project.
Councilmembers pressed staff on property‑tax timing; Lisa noted final county assessments will not be available until April and the levy must be set on estimates, with a deeper property‑tax presentation scheduled for the next meeting.
Mayor and staff announced a public hearing on the budget in two weeks and said both the budget and the property‑tax levy are scheduled for approval on Dec. 3.
Questions about the capital improvement program followed the presentation. Staff said certain subdivisions (Sisson and Johnson) are scheduled in later CIP years and that some projects will require full reconstruction rather than resurfacing. Council discussed bonding options to accelerate street work.
