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Villa Park trustees delay 2026 budget after questions on staffing and deficits
Summary
Trustees debated the proposed 2026 budget and detailed public‑safety staffing shortfalls before voting to table the ordinance for further information; finance staff said the village faces multi‑fund deficit spending and pledged a five‑year plan in early 2026.
The Village of Villa Park board on Dec. 8 delayed action on the proposed 2026 budget after trustees pressed staff for clearer organizational charts, staff counts and public‑safety staffing plans.
Finance Director Susie Micah told trustees the village anticipates roughly $71.7 million in total revenues across all funds and about $85 million in expenses in 2026, a gap of approximately $13.3 million. Micah said the general fund portion of that plan showed about $29.1 million in revenues and $34.2 million in expenses — a roughly $5.1 million general‑fund shortfall. She said some capital and other funds are projected to use reserves to cover planned spending.
Trustees said the packet lacked sufficient detail on which positions are full time, part time or contractual. Trustee Sabri repeatedly asked for an updated organizational chart listing staff names and roles; several department directors agreed to provide clarified lists to the full board.
Fire Chief Steve Stapleton described current staffing at the department and recruitment plans. He said the department’s authorized staffing is nine personnel per shift (27 total), including six lieutenant paramedics; the roster currently stands at 25 and the department is actively recruiting to fill two vacancies. Stapleton explained the department operates a “jump company” model that can leave an ambulance or engine unstaffed depending on call type, and said minimum contractual manning will increase from six to seven on Jan. 1. He said hiring tests closed Dec. 5 and interviews were scheduled later in December.
Police Chief Todd Kubish said the police department also is understrength and in the early stages of a new recruitment and testing cycle; he said the department was down two officers and hoped to hire to fill those slots.
Micah said staff will prepare a five‑year budget planning document in the first quarter of 2026 to show projected revenue and expense trends and provide context for staffing requests. After the discussion, Trustee Constatos moved to table the budget item to the next board meeting to allow staff time to supply the requested organizational charts and supplemental details; the motion passed on roll call.
The next procedural step: the board will take up the budget again after staff provides the requested breakdowns and the five‑year planning material.
