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Morton Grove trustees approve 2026 budget, multiple ordinances and contracts; ambulance fee introduced for first reading
Summary
At the Nov. 25 meeting trustees adopted the village and library budgets, approved tax levy and multiple ordinances and resolutions including procurement contracts and franchise renewals; ambulance-fee ordinance was introduced for first reading and will return for later vote.
The Village of Morton Grove Board of Trustees on Nov. 25 approved the village’s 2026 budget, adopted the property tax levy for collection in 2026, and voted to pass several ordinances and resolutions covering zoning, fees, contracts and procurement.
Key approvals and outcomes included:
- Budget adoption: Ordinance 25-31 adopting the budgets for the Village of Morton Grove and the Morton Grove Public Library for the calendar year beginning Jan. 1, 2026, passed by roll call (ayes recorded for trustees present). The board noted public hearings and published notices as required.
- Tax levy: Ordinance 25-32 levying taxes for collection in 2026 passed; staff said the village levy portion totals $13,318,024 and the library portion $4,045,637 for a combined $17,363,661, reflecting a 4.14% overall increase from the prior year.
- Ordinances passed (second readings): Ordinance 25-30 (code cleanup regarding surplus property, special events and motor vehicle provisions); Ordinance 25-33 (amendments to liquor control and associated fees, including a $750 per-machine video-gaming fee effective Jan. 1, 2026); Ordinance 25-34 (special-use permit for a mixed-use development at 6222 Lincoln Ave./8503–8509 Fernald Ave); Ordinance 25-35 (minor amendment and one-year extension for an automobile mini-mart at 6335 Dempster St); Ordinance 25-36 (final plat acceptance and improvements for Park Villas townhomes). All were moved, seconded and approved by roll call.
- Resolutions and contracts: Resolution 25-77 set the time and place for public hearings related to the Dempster Street redevelopment project area and a joint review board for a proposed TIF district; Resolution 25-78 authorized a one-year renewal of the exclusive food-scrap composting franchise with Waste Not Inc. at no cost to the village; Resolution 25-79 approved acceptance of a material proposal from Cargill Inc. for the 2026 rock-salt purchasing program (staff reported a low bid of $257,610 for 3,000 tons and noted contract terms with an option to increase quantity; resolution authorized a contract not to exceed $309,132); Resolution 25-80 authorized an extension of a cooperative gasoline and diesel fuel purchase contract (approximate fiscal impact reported as $85,475).
- Appointment: Jenny Cleary was nominated and approved to transfer from the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission to the Traffic Safety Commission.
- Ambulance-transport fee: Ordinance 25-38, introduced as a first reading, would increase the ambulance transport fee to $2,500 to align with commonly used Medicaid/GMNT standards; this was a first reading only and will be considered at the next meeting in December.
- Warrants: The board approved a warrant register for Nov. 25, 2025, in the amount of $952,202.18.
Votes were recorded by roll call where required; most listed motions passed unanimously by trustees present. No formal vetoes or defeats were recorded in the transcript.
What happens next: The ambulance fee ordinance (25-38) will return for formal consideration at the next meeting; staff will proceed with contract execution per the resolutions approved and publish subsequent reporting as required.
