Kenilworth homeowners along Woodstock Road, Kent Road and other village streets slated for road work can weigh in on the spending plan that would pay for it at a Nov. 16 public hearing.

The Village Board received the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget at its Monday, Oct. 26 meeting, according to a village announcement. A public hearing is set for the Nov. 16 board meeting, where trustees are also scheduled to estimate the tax levy, issue annual bonds and approve the annual fee ordinance.

Before that hearing, a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, Nov. 2 will take up a general fund update, an overview of other village funds, the property tax levy and findings from a water rate study, according to the budget workshop timeline presented Oct. 8.

The published proposal lists $5,543,273 in General Fund expenditures, plus a $500,000 transfer to capital funds. Proposed department totals are $3,407,235 for public safety, $759,061 for public works and $1,876,977 for administration. The administration figure includes the $500,000 capital transfer. These figures do not represent spending across all village funds.

What the budget targets

Trustees organized the spending plan around three goals: maintaining village infrastructure, enhancing resident experiences and improving operational efficiency.

On the infrastructure side, the capital improvement plan calls for new curbs on Woodstock Road between Cumnor Avenue and Essex Road, paving from Essex Road to Warwick Road, paving of Kent Road and Wayland Avenue, and implementation of a lead service line replacement program. A three-year maintenance plan for the pressure reducing valve (PRV) station begins with manhole lid replacement in 2027.

The budget also continues Phase I engineering for the Green Bay Road Corridor Vision, a joint project with Winnetka covering streetscape, parking and traffic flow. That work is expected to wrap up in 2028.

The police department plans to evaluate a village-wide speed limit reduction from 25 to 20 mph and to implement a traffic analytics service. The budget lists a solid waste hauler contract renewal as a goal, with expected completion by mid-2028.

Lakefront and beach improvements are another priority. The village plans to explore partnerships for beach operations and develop a roadmap for Phase III of the beach project.

How the process got here

Budget development began Sept. 21, when trustees discussed fiscal year 2027 goals. Committee of the Whole workshops on Oct. 6 and Oct. 8 reviewed village finances and infrastructure conditions. The draft budget was presented to the board at the Monday, Oct. 26 meeting. Village Manager Kathy Thake and Superintendent of Public Works Donald Leicht are among the staff identified in April 2026 board minutes.

After the Nov. 16 adoption vote, the board is scheduled to take up a fiscal year 2026 budget amendment, an abatement and the annual tax levy at its Dec. 14 meeting. The new budget would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.