Moline Committee-of-the-Whole Budget Work Session #4 – October 14, 2026

Note: The agenda lists this meeting as September 22, 2026, but the user instruction specifies October 14, 2026. The transcript does not confirm the date; therefore, this summary follows the date provided by the user. The meeting was a special session focused on the FY 2027–2029 budget, with council members seeking guidance on funding allocations for agencies, capital projects, and property tax levies.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeffra Smith (Moline Center Program Manager): Expressed support for maintaining the Moline Center program, highlighting established merchant relationships, expanded courtyard and holiday events, and collaboration with SSA 6 and city departments. She stressed that relationships are key to downtown vitality.
• Lago Marcino (Long-time downtown volunteer): Emphasized the importance of retaining a director and secretarial staff for Moline Center, noting that past success (e.g., holiday hop, Bass Street Landing concerts) came from volunteer effort. He cautioned against further organizational changes that could disrupt momentum.

Discussion Items

• Agency Funding and Reorganization (Items 1–4): The administrative recommendation proposed a 2.7% increase ($40,355) to raise total agency funding to $1,533,000 for FY2027. A key discussion involved shifting $25,000 from the Moline CDC to Renew Moline to subsume the CDC’s housing redevelopment role under Renew. Council members expressed mixed views: some favored a full shift, others preferred a phased approach, and some wanted more detail before committing. The default position from consensus was to leave funding at current levels (no change for Moline Center and holding the $25,000 at Renew) and have staff provide additional background on agreements and historical iterations before the October workshop.
• Youth Commission Increase: The Commission on Youth requested an increase from $10,000 to $20,000, citing rising demand (13 grants already requested by mid-year). Several council members were open to the increase after seeing an itemized list showing more balanced distribution beyond school districts.
• Third Place Fund Request: A new $20,000 request was discussed as a potential stable funding line for homeless services infrastructure. Council generally supported it, though questions remained about whether it duplicates other programs.
• Temporary Winter Shelter ($100,000): Staff updated council on the ongoing search for a suitable location (Moline or East Moline), with cost estimates around $400,000 to operate. The $100,000 is a placeholder; actual need may require additional contributions from county and other cities. Some council members expressed concern about Moline carrying a disproportionate share; others supported the allocation as a life-saving measure. Consensus left the $100,000 in the budget pending further updates.
• Level Up Program (Tier A & B) – In-House Administration: Staff proposed bringing the Level Up program in-house to improve efficiency, reduce administrative costs ($20,000–$30,000 savings), and better align with customer service goals. Council generally supported the shift, with discussion on maintaining Tier A as a guaranteed income pilot (not altering research-based design) and keeping Tier B cap at $2,000 for emergency assistance. The program budget of $365,000 was accepted without immediate change.
• Property Tax Levy and Utility Fees: The recommended levy increase of $857,454 (4.94%) would capture 117% of growth, largely driven by pension obligations (police +25.48%, fire +8.53%). The impact on a median residential property: $34/year ($2.83/month). Combined with projected utility fee increases, total increase is $80.80/year ($6.73/month), which is $15 less than projected a year ago. Some council members favored capturing only half the growth to ease taxpayer burden; others supported the proposed levy. No final decision; staff will bring options to the October workshop.
• Library and Parks Funding: The library’s 93% reliance on property taxes makes it vulnerable; a new outreach manager position was supported by several council members. Parks levy was held flat with a CIP transfer placeholder for potential O’Brien parking lot improvements. Council asked for cost/impact data on potential service reductions (e.g., Sunday library hours).
• TIF Restructuring (TIF 7, 11, 13): Staff presented a plan to reclassify water/WPC advances, have enterprise funds begin repaying the general fund ($200,000/year starting in outer years), and consider using proceeds from a potential sale of river station to pay down TIF debt earlier. Council expressed support for developing a clear plan to present to Moody’s and to eventually make all TIFs self-sustaining.
• Special Events and Police Costs: Discussion on in-kind police services for Mercado ($30,000 annually) and a new request from Quad City Storm ($45,000). Chief Reagan recommended sticking with existing policy that requires events to pay actual police costs. Council generally agreed, keeping Mercado’s $30,000 in-kind arrangement as a unique exception but not expanding to other for-profit entities.
• Cannabis Revenues: Projected 3–4% decline from peak, but staff are confident in a $680,000 allocation for agency funding, with sufficient fund balance buffer.
• New Personnel Requests: Staff recommended an outreach manager (library) and an additional custodian (CSC building) but deferred a full-time resiliency officer, suggesting a committee-based approach for FY2027.

Key Outcomes

• Direction on Agency Funding: Staff will provide council with copies of current agreements with Renew Moline, Moline CDC, and Moline Center, plus a timeline of organizational changes, before the October workshop. No funding changes were finalized.
• Levy Recommendation: Council received the 4.94% increase proposal but requested additional analysis of possible reductions (e.g., leveling growth capture, service cuts). Final decision deferred to October.
• TIF Plan Acknowledged: The restructuring proposal for TIF 7 (excluding LRS revenue) was accepted as the working framework, with a plan to be included in the FY2027 budget document.
• Level Up Program: Moving administration in-house was endorsed; Tier A design remains unchanged; Tier B cap stays at $2,000. Staff will bring a formal proposal to council.
• Winter Shelter: $100,000 remains in the budget as a placeholder; staff to continue site search and report back.
• No vote on police service subsidy expansion: Council consensus was to maintain current policy and not add new in-kind agreements.
• Next Steps: The full budget document, incorporating council direction from this session, will be presented at the October Saturday workshop (date not specified in transcript).