The Peoria Heights Village Board has unanimously adopted a balanced, nearly $6 million budget for fiscal year 2027.
The budget represents a 6.2 percent increase over the current year’s approved budget but is down a bit from actual spending, now projected at almost $6.1 million for fiscal year 2026. Most of the expenditures are in the police and fire departments. The new spending plan takes effect on May 1.
There were some adjustments from the budget blueprint that was first unveiled in February, with the Board drawing attention to the addition of $25,000 to the fire department’s capital budget. The Board wants to sock some money away, now $75,000 total in this coming budget, to begin replacing the department’s aging engine fleet and other equipment. The Board transferred $25,000 from the curbs and sidewalks program, which will now be at $275,000.
“I think everyone sees the need the fire department has,” said Trustee Sarah DeVore. But “everyone has needs, right, so how much do we put aside for each need to be met?”
“Obviously there’s what you want, what you get, and what you can afford,” said Village Trustee Nate Steinwedel.
The Village continues to see significant gains in sales tax revenues, which this coming year are expected to more than compensate for the projected loss of $114,000 from the closure of the Save A Lot grocery store.
“We are seeing the success of our growing businesses on War (Memorial Drive), on Prospect, throughout the community. We’re seeing this, particularly on the home rule sales tax numbers, year over year,” said Mayor Matt Wigginton, adding that fiscal year 2027 looks to produce yet another surplus, now projected to top $200,000. “That is the dividend our citizens get. We have the ability to tax there (on sales) and not have to levy (property taxes) down the road.”
“It’s a testament to our economic development, the safety of our town, the strength of our businesses, the business friendliness of Peoria Heights, that we continue to thrive even without the grocery tax,” added Trustee Brandon Wisenburg. “It’s a testament to the Board. I think it’s a testament to the community at large. People want to shop here. People want to spend their money here. I think it’s a good thing.”
A balanced budget “doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” continued Wisenburg while complimenting Village Administrator Dustin Sutton and his staff. “This is the only government I know of that puts effort into reducing costs for their citizens.
“Since 2019, you guys have done so much with so little that I think it’s a testament to proper governance.”
The Board also approved a water department budget topping $13.5 million, a large increase that includes the construction starting yet this year of a new, $8.5 million water treatment plant.
The library’s budget was set at $573,800.