Committee of the Whole Workshop: Budget and Funding Requests - February 23, 2026

The Committee of the Whole Workshop of the Plainfield Village Board met on February 23, 2026, to discuss two funding requests (Heritage Corridor Destinations and the Plainfield Historical Society) and the draft 2026-2027 fiscal year budget. The meeting included staff presentations on capital projects, water and sewer operations, and budget summaries.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the minutes of the Committee of the Whole Workshop held on February 9, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public addressed the board.

Discussion Items

Heritage Corridor Destinations Funding Request

• Bob Navarro, President of Heritage Corridor Destinations, presented a funding request of $18,000 annually for a basic partnership level (for communities without hotel properties). He reported that tourism in the Heritage Corridor generates over $1.3 billion in visitor spending, supports 10,800 jobs, and produces $381 million in payroll. Data from Zartico showed that 80% of Plainfield's visitors come from out of state, primarily for outdoor recreation, and 72% of visitor spending is on food and beverage. Trustees discussed the difference between the bureau's role (attracting outside visitors) and the Chamber of Commerce's role, and noted that Plainfield currently has no dedicated tourism marketing budget. The board took no formal action but expressed interest in gathering more information.

Plainfield Historical Society Funding Request

• John Dixon, Vice President of the Plainfield Historical Society, requested up to $300,000 in one-time assistance for underground utility connections, parking lot, and parkway improvements at their future museum property (15204 S. Illinois Route 59). The society has secured approximately $100,000–$115,000 in grants for the project. The total construction estimate is expected to be under $300,000, making the net request from the village potentially $135,000–$200,000. Discussion included the society's history of self-funding, the lack of a village subsidy for the past 49 years, and concerns about setting a precedent for other nonprofits. Trustees expressed general support for the mission but wanted to see actual bids before committing. The item will be revisited after bids are received (expected in 2–3 weeks) and after consulting with absent trustees.

2026-2027 Draft Fiscal Year Budget

• Staff presented the proposed budgets for Capital Improvement, Motor Fuel Tax (MFT), TIF, Bond Fund, and Water/Sewer Funds. Key capital projects include: the 143rd Street East extension (on schedule for July 2026 completion, includes new traffic signals and tree planting), resurfacing of nearly 12.5 miles of roads, Old Town South improvements, new traffic signals (Boulevard Place/Costco, 143rd/Steiner, 135th/Ridge), Renwick Road reconstruction, replacement of the Mill Street water tower with a 1-million-gallon tank at Naperville Road and 143rd (construction in 2027), well house construction, and a salt storage building. The capital fund shows a $4.9 million deficit, partially offset by a $3 million transfer from the general fund. The water and sewer fund also projects a deficit, with revenues adjusted for a recent water rate increase. Staff reported that the village has secured nearly $100 million in grants since 2016. Discussion covered staffing additions (development engineer, assistant public works director, sewer operator, utility billing representative), the need for contract locating services, and potential regulatory changes (PFAS, phosphorus limits). The budget will be further refined and brought back for final approval in late March.

Key Outcomes

• No decisions were made on the Heritage Corridor or Historical Society funding requests; both will be discussed further after additional information is available (bids for the Historical Society project, and potential inclusion in the FY27 budget).
• The draft fiscal year 2026-2027 budget will be revised based on board feedback and presented for final review at the next Committee of the Whole workshop on March 9, 2026.
• The board expressed appreciation for staff's detailed presentations and expertise.