The Geneseo City Council has three meetings scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, 2026, beginning with a public hearing at 5:45 p.m., followed by a Committee of the Whole meeting at 6 p.m., and a Special City Council meeting immediately afterward.
The meetings will address the city's proposed 2027 budget, property tax levy, bond obligations, municipal insurance, and planned capital improvements.
Public Hearing — 5:45 p.m.
1. Public Hearing on the 2027 Fiscal Year Budget
The council will conduct a public hearing on the proposed municipal budget for January 1 through December 31, 2027. The hearing provides an opportunity for public input before the council considers adopting Ordinance O-26-16. The proposed budget covers city operations, municipal departments, utilities, and planned capital expenditures. The accompanying materials also include the city's 2027–2031 capital planning documents.
Committee of the Whole — 6 p.m.
8. Proposed Eagle Scout Project at Prairie Park
A Boy Scouts presentation is scheduled concerning a proposed Eagle Scout project at Prairie Park. The presentation will introduce the project to council members. The agenda does not provide a description of the improvements, estimated costs, funding arrangements, or construction timeline. No formal approval motion is listed for this item.
9. Second Review of the 2027 Fiscal Year Budget
The council will conduct its second review of the proposed 2027 budget, including departmental expenditures, anticipated revenues, fund transfers, and capital investments. The committee is scheduled to consider recommending Ordinance O-26-16 for approval at the Special City Council meeting later that evening.
10. Review of the 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Plan
The budget materials include the city's multiyear capital improvement plan, which identifies proposed investments in municipal buildings, infrastructure, equipment, and other city assets. Among the projects listed for 2027 are $200,000 in miscellaneous City Hall building repairs, $10,000 to rewire and reorganize the information technology closet, and $30,000 for a road in a new section of the cemetery.
11. Proposed 2027 Property Tax Levy — Ordinance O-26-17
The city is proposing a 4.99% property tax levy increase, representing an additional $90,758 over the previous year. Finance Director Jamie Schweickhardt's report identifies an estimated equalized assessed valuation of $188,420,699. The city reports that its portion represented 11.97% of the total property tax bill for properties in Geneseo under the previous levy. The committee will consider recommending the ordinance for approval and placement on the November 10 City Council consent agenda.
12. Abatement of General Obligation Bond Taxes — Ordinance O-26-18
The council will consider an ordinance eliminating a previously authorized $304,167.50 property tax levy associated with the city's 2021 general obligation bonds. The original bond issuance totaled $4.2 million. According to the staff report, Geneseo has historically used alternative revenue sources to make these bond payments rather than collecting a separate property tax for them. Approval would reduce the tax extended for this particular bond obligation to zero, without eliminating the underlying debt. The committee will consider recommending approval at the November 10 meeting.
13. Municipal Liability and Workers' Compensation Coverage — Resolution R-26-19
The council will review its participation in the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association, which provides municipal liability and workers' compensation coverage. The city has the option of paying a fixed normal-loss amount or choosing a minimum-loss arrangement under which costs can increase if claims are higher than anticipated. City Administrator Brandon Maeglin reports that the minimum-loss approach has historically been the more financially favorable option for Geneseo. The proposed minimum/maximum arrangement carries an initial cost of $335,377.18 if paid by November 13, 2026. The committee will consider recommending the resolution for approval at a future council meeting.
Special City Council Meeting — Following the Committee of the Whole
19. Final Approval of the 2027 Fiscal Year Budget — Ordinance O-26-16
The council will consider formally adopting the city's budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2027. Ordinance O-26-16 would establish the city's authorized spending plan in place of a separate appropriation ordinance. The vote follows the earlier public hearing and Committee of the Whole review.
Sources: City of Geneseo, October 27, 2026, Public Hearing Agenda Packet; Committee of the Whole Agenda Packet; and Special City Council Agenda Packet. All proposed actions remain subject to council consideration.