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Freeport council approves strategic plan and capital program; passes appropriation and levy ordinances
Summary
Council approved the draft strategic plan for 2026–2028 and adopted the capital improvement plan for 2026–2029, alongside a fiscal-year appropriation and tax-levy ordinances; votes reflected recurring 6–2 splits on major budget items.
The Freeport City Council adopted a strategic vision for 2026–2028 and a multiyear capital improvement plan for 2026–2029 during its meeting, alongside key budget votes including the fiscal-year appropriation ordinance and the city tax levy.
Eric, the strategic plan presenter, outlined priorities across safety, neighborhoods and housing, communications, infrastructure, economic development, government operations and arts and culture. He said the plan includes measurable targets and milestones; as examples he cited progress metrics such as 1,902 lead-service line replacements and about $83 million in external grants and forgivable loans over the past five years. Manager Boyer recommended adoption so that the city can align program and budget priorities with the plan’s targets.
Council adopted Resolution 2025-144 approving the strategic plan. The vote count recorded in the minutes shows one abstention on initial roll call for that item and later adoption of the plan by council (vote recorded as 6 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention on the motion stage). The council then considered the capital improvement plan (Resolution 2025-146); Director Richter said CIP items are planning-level and each project will return to council for purchase approval. Council adopted the CIP 6–2 after discussion about projected loans and grant funding sources; staff emphasized that later-year projects (2027–2029) are contingent on securing financing.
On related budget matters, the council approved the fiscal year 2026 appropriation ordinance (Ordinance 2025-61) and the city tax levy ordinance (Ordinance 2025-62) on second reading. Both ordinances passed on votes recorded as 6–2, with Alderman Sanders and Alderman Stacy voting no. The Freeport Public Library levy ordinance (Ordinance 2025-63) passed 7–1; Interim Library Director Myers explained the library requested $1,114,500 for the 2025 levy (paid in 2026), an increase that would add about $6 to the library portion of the property tax on a $100,000 house.
Director Richter also presented a reappropriation ordinance that adjusts revenues and expenses across funds — including increased sales tax receipts, changes to special-use tax accounting and added grant revenue and expenditures — and the council moved that ordinance to second reading.
