Crest Hill adopts FY2026–27 budget with 5–4 vote after contentious debate over process and treasurer’s role

The Crest Hill City Council approved the fiscal year 2026–27 budget ordinance (Ordinance 2058) in a 5–4 roll call after debate over the budget process and the role of the elected treasurer.

City Administrator Blaine Wing and Finance Director Glenn Gerky presented the proposed operating plan, which projects general fund revenue of about $13.88 million and expenditures of roughly $13.5 million, leaving an estimated $295,569 surplus. Gerky told the council the broader all-funds spending plan is about $78 million and emphasized major revenue sources include state income tax (about $4.2 million) and sales tax, while property tax remains a comparatively small share of the city’s operating revenue.

The budget document allocates $8.5 million as Crest Hill’s share of water, sewer and street capital projects after $10 million in grants/loans, continues the annual streets improvement program, and increases the police pension contribution by $150,000 to raise funding above 75 percent. Wing told the council staff used conservative revenue estimates and that departments identified likely in-year requests for items such as plumbing repairs, IT/AV upgrades, and a potential K9 outdoor enclosure.

Discussion and contested points centered on two issues: whether the elected city treasurer had been included in budget development and several late additions to the packet. Treasurer Jamie Mallaloy and multiple aldermen said she was not involved in the finance committee meetings that shaped the budget and urged that the treasurer be given opportunity to review or observe budgeting discussions; the city attorney and administration said the finance director had been appointed the budget officer under a city ordinance and that the treasurer’s statutory duties concern custody, receipts and reporting of city funds rather than creation of the budget.

The council also debated a handful of relatively small line items that drew attention during questions, including a $3,000 citywide cap on “coffee” categorized under office supplies and a capital request for a drone for the police department (staff said the department is applying for grants for the drone). Alderman Mark Zapiti and other council members said they had not received paper copies of specific late changes and voiced concern about transparency around last-minute insertions.

After return from executive session on compensation and collective bargaining, Council members cast their votes on the ordinance as follows: Mark Zapiti, Scott Dyke, Derrell Jefferson and Claudia Gazal voted no; Nate Elbert, Joe Kuball, Angelo Dario, Tina Oberlin and the Mayor voted yes. The motion carried 5–4 and Ordinance 2058 was approved.

The administration and finance staff said the approved budget preserves reserves, funds a variety of capital investments (notably water and streets), and keeps the city on track for pension funding goals. Staff also said they will post the final approved document online and provide the requested larger-format budget sheets and additional detail where possible. The administration indicated ongoing negotiations with bargaining units remain confidential and that specific union increases would be discussed in executive session.

What’s next: Staff will publish the final budget documents, post large-format versions online, and begin implementing capital planning and procurement for the projects described in the packet. Councilmembers who opposed the vote said they will continue pressing for added transparency and for clearer opportunities for the treasurer to participate in future budget deliberations.