Effingham council adopts FY2026 operating budget and five-year capital plan

The Effingham City Council on Monday adopted the city’s FY2026 operating budget and a five-year capital improvements plan.

City Administrator Dennis told the council the budget had been the subject of an April 2 public hearing and "nothing's changed, since that meeting," and that the document was before the council for formal approval. Ordinance No. 27-2025 covers the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025, and ending April 30, 2026.

Council members then voted to pass the ordinance. The council also adopted Resolution No. 31-2025, which establishes a five-year capital improvements and maintenance plan for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Dennis said the capital plan separates items that meet the city’s capital thresholds from maintenance work such as resurfacing and other larger maintenance projects.

Mayor Mary Schutzbach and commissioners voiced no substantive concerns during the motion and second; both measures passed by voice vote. The city administrator and staff said the capital plan had not changed since it was placed on file for council consideration.

The budget adoption places planned capital projects and maintenance priorities into a five‑year schedule, which staff said will guide resurfacing, utility upgrades and other infrastructure work. The council did not attach additional conditions to the capital plan at the time of adoption.

Next steps: city staff will post the adopted ordinances and the capital plan and proceed with procurement and project scheduling in accordance with the newly adopted budget and five‑year plan.