Plainfield Committee of the Whole Workshop – October 12, 2026

The Village of Plainfield Board of Trustees held a Committee of the Whole Workshop on Monday, October 12, 2026. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, public comments from a prospective business owner, a presentation of the Fiscal Year 2026 audit by Sikich CPA LLC, and an update on the Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund budget.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the Committee of the Whole Workshop of August 10, 2026 by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Harder (spelled H A R T E R), a Plainfield resident and prospective business owner, spoke along with his wife and business partners. He expressed support for opening a family-friendly arcade in the former Peter Ruby location at Plainfield Plaza (zoned B1 – Neighborhood Convenience Business District). He noted that current zoning lumps arcades with pool halls and billiards, and requested the board's support to separate arcade use from pool halls and allow arcades in B1 districts. He emphasized the time sensitivity due to competition for the lease and a goal to open by May 2027. The Mayor expressed strong support for local small business and stated that staff would work internally to find a path forward, noting the ongoing zoning code rewrite but the ability to amend on the fly.

Discussion Items

Fiscal Year 2026 Audit Presentation

Jim Savio of Sikich CPA LLC presented the annual comprehensive financial report for FY 2026. Key points:

• The village received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion – the highest level of assurance.
• No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls were identified; no instances of non-compliance were noted.
• General Fund unassigned fund balance was nearly $14 million, an increase from $13 million in FY 2025, representing 40% of current year expenditures (about a five-month reserve), in line with village policy.
• Revenues exceeded expenditures by approximately $10.6 million (up from $9.4 million in FY 2025). Net change in fund balance after transfers was about $1.3 million.
• IMRF pension funded ratio improved to 96% (from 90% prior year); Police pension funded ratio jumped to 90% (from 76%) due to strong investment returns ($13.5 million investment income).
• The Water and Sewer Fund posted operating income of $275,000 before non-operating revenues.
• Outstanding debt included $1.16 million in general obligation bonds and $5.88 million in IEPA loans plus $7.9 million in revenue bonds for water and sewer.
• The single audit (required due to >$1M federal expenditures) covered the Route 143 East extension and TIF districts; all compliance opinions were unmodified.
• Trustee Panicker asked about internal controls and cannabis sales tax data. Staff noted controls include separation of duties and walkthroughs by auditors; cannabis revenue data is protected due to only two dispensaries, but staff will provide available information.

Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Update

Ms. Pleckham provided an update on the General Fund budget. Highlights:

• The FY 2027 General Fund revenue budget is $44 million. Revenue sources are diversified: state revenues (including income tax) make up 47% ; property taxes 22% ; refuse fees 15% ; building permits and franchise fees, etc.
• State revenues: Municipal sales tax is 61% of state revenues (up from 54% due to shifting online sales from use tax to sales tax). Income tax is 38% .
• Sales tax in the corporate fund is on track at 44% through September (42% of fiscal year elapsed).
• Use tax is declining but budgeted appropriately; income tax at nearly 50% through September. The special census added 5,200 people, yielding approximately $955,000 per year additional income tax and motor fuel tax revenues ($184 per person).
• Building permit revenue at 54% of budget through September (down from exceptional levels last year, but not a concern).
• Local motor fuel tax at 44% ; franchise fees declining annually (now ~$175,000 through September, down from ~$600,000 in FY 2022) due to cord-cutting.
• Refuse fees (pass-through) at 50% ; property tax collections nearly 100%.
• Expenses: Overall at 42% of budget; police department at 51% largely due to pension funding ($2.77 million of $2.85 million budgeted already expended).
• The tax levy discussion will begin at the next workshop, with a target preliminary estimate approval on November 2, public hearing December 7.

Key Outcomes

• The board will bring the FY 2026 audit to the regular board meeting for formal acceptance.
• The Mayor and board voiced support for the proposed arcade zoning change and directed staff to work internally to find a solution, given time sensitivity.
• Staff will provide additional information on cannabis sales tax revenues and investment income to the board.
• Upcoming meetings were announced: Village Board business meeting October 19, Plan Commission October 20, next Committee of the Whole Workshop October 26.