Joliet council adopts FY2026 budget, approves theatre rigging contract and water-main agreements
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Summary
On Dec. 16 the City of Joliet adopted its FY2026 budget, approved a $117,000 contract to replace Bicentennial Park Theater stage rigging, and adopted multiple resolutions for the Washington Street water-main project and other routine appointments and agreements.
The Joliet City Council on Dec. 16 adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget and approved a slate of contracts, appointments and infrastructure agreements during its final meeting of the year.
Finance Director Kevin Singh and City Manager Beth Beatty described the FY2026 budget as the product of roughly six months of line-by-line departmental review intended to sustain core services while investing in sidewalks, roads, public safety and access to Lake Michigan water. "The '26 budget's the result of nearly 6 months of hard work and dedication of the staff," Singh said in remarks to the council.
Council moved to adopt Ordinance 661-25 approving the FY2026 budget; the ordinance passed with a recorded dissent from Councilwoman Quillman, who said she could not support the budget overall despite acknowledging some strong items.
On a separately considered consent item, council awarded a contract to Grand Stage Company for replacement of the Bicentennial Park Theater stage rigging for $117,000 (council memo 657-25). Staff explained the procurement followed a city-code pathway for specialized goods in which three known vendors were solicited and a single responsive bid was returned; council discussion focused on why the item had been pulled from the consent agenda and why a full public bid process was not required. The motion to award passed with one No vote recorded (Councilman Hugg).
The council also adopted Ordinance 660-25 abating taxes for debt service on general obligation bonds (series 2020A and 2022), and approved several resolutions enabling the Washington Street water main improvement project: a license agreement with Canadian National Railway, a temporary easement from the Joliet Park District, and a license agreement with Metra. In addition, the council adopted a resolution appointing an authorized agent for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and approved a cost-sharing agreement with CenterPoint for PACE bus route 511.
Appointments and routine items were approved by voice vote, including multiple commission reappointments and the designation of Councilman Mudrin as mayor pro tem for 01/01/2026'03/31/2026.
What happens next: Public assets staff will finalize the rigging contract and report any change orders; finance staff will implement the FY2026 allocations and provide monthly financial reports. Several infrastructure agreements require execution with external partners (CN, Metra, Joliet Park District) prior to construction activity on the Washington Street project.
Sources: City Manager report and Finance Director remarks; committee reports and council votes recorded at the Dec. 16, 2025 council meeting; consent and separate-vote agenda items (council memos 650'658 and 657-25).
