Monticello council approves FY2026 budget with park estimate cut and street signal funds

The Monticello City Council on Dec. 8 approved Resolution 2025-81, adopting the city’s fiscal year 2026 budget after a council presentation and roll-call vote.

City Administrator Terry summarized updates from a November budget study session and recommended the council approve the revised document. Terry said the municipal grocery retailers and service occupation tax revenue line was set to zero following the council’s prior direction. “It is recommended [the] city council review and the updated FY 2026 city budget and approve resolution 20 25 dash 81 as presented,” Terry said.

Key changes presented included $25,000 added to the general fund capital improvements for left-turn signals at the Center and Market Street intersection, with the city expecting some IDOT reimbursement but noting the amount is unknown. The budget increased the non-MFT portion of Alternate 4A access from $60,000 to $75,000 for survey work, right-of-way plat preparation and attorney fees. Officials also reduced the projected remaining expenditure for Phase 1 construction and engineering of Oberheim Park from $5,000,000 to $4,000,000 and added $50,000 for outstanding expenditures related to the Robert C. Burke Memorial Park. The city added $5,500 tied to water revenues and expenditures connected to commercial refuse collection at a municipal lot.

Council members did not request further amendments during the meeting and approved the resolution by roll call. The mayor called the roll and members responded in the affirmative; the motion passed.

The budget now moves to implementation steps overseen by city staff; council members and staff said they would monitor capital-project invoices and potential reimbursements from IDOT.