Times Weekly staff
The Joliet City Council has approved the 2025 fiscal year budget, which prioritizes spending on public safety, vehicle equipment, facility maintenance, and water. The total budget is $661.6 million, with an estimated $276 million focused on water operations, water main replacement, and the Lake Michigan Water Project.
Finance Director Kevin Sing presented budget highlights. “The budget process began in early June and continued through late fall as we worked to balance the needs of our staff and present a balanced budget to the council.”
“Great care was taken to allocate funds wisely and prudently,” said City Manager Beth Beatty. “Departments had to justify and explain budget requests. There was a tremendous amount of scrutiny and time spent reviewing the dollars currently budgeted, as well as any new funding requests.”
The new budget will include 22 additional public safety staff members: 14 for the police department and 8 for the fire department, with one position funded by a grant. New positions have also been added to the Information Technology Department to advance the city’s digital operations and accommodate the growing needs of personnel.
Budget highlights:
- Approximately 30 miles of roads and sidewalks
- 41 vehicles
- City Square & Chicago Street Project
- Maintenance improvements to Slammers Stadium
- Design for Fire Station 7 replacement
- Roadway landscape upgrades
- Street sweeper, tractor, and equipment for roadways
- 30 new police department cameras
- Ottawa Street Parking Deck repairs
- 30 miles of water main replacement
- Funding for grants for the Rialto Square Theatre and Joliet Historical Museum
The $276 million allocated for water and sewer projects:
- Sewer and Water Operating: $79 million
- Sewer and Water Capital: $30 million
- Water Main Replacements: $114 million
- Lake Michigan Water Project: $53 million
“We are the third-largest city, and for too long we have not operated like one. We need to invest in our city operations just as residents do in their homes and business owners do in their businesses,” said D’Arcy. “By deferring investments, it will only cost the city more money in the long run and lower our quality of life. The return on this future investment will be to provide the services our residents expect and deserve.”
