City of Elmhurst Committee of the Whole met Nov. 17
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
1. Call to Order – Mayor Levin called the Cow meeting to order at 6:34pm.
Present: Rex Irby, Mike Brennan, Jennifer Veremis, Brian Belanger, Karen Sienko, Jacob Hill, Chris Jensen, Michael Bram, Noel Talluto, Mike Baker, Jim Nudera, Dan Virgil, Guido Nardini, and Emily Bastedo
Absent: None
14 Present, 0 Absent
Also present: City Attorney Storino, City Manager Grabowski, Assistant City Manager Johnson, Clerk Tamer, Treasurer Curran, Finance Director Coyle, Public Works Director Balicki, Fire Chief Dufort, Police Chief McLean, IT Director Kravitz, Assistant Finance Director Bruns, and HR Director Palm
2. Public Comments – None
3. Business Before the Committee
A. Review of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget – Mayor Levin delivered a statement summarizing the state of the budget and history of years prior. He recommends council adopt the budget as proposed. He also stated the need at the meeting to restore senior citizen items to the budget. At the meeting, he stated the budget will be discussed, while the levy and ordinance will be on 12/3/25. Alderman Talluto handed out a spreadsheet summarizing the 3 million dollars of cuts with $616,000 of deferrals for a total of 3.6 million deduction in budget. She is against the additional cuts at the COW meeting as she states it doesn’t solve general fund balance of spending more than what is being taken in. She would like to take a measured wholistic approach as a deep dive beginning in January, not a further line by line at the COW meeting. Alderman Hill moved to eliminate the green colored line items in document on BoardDocs labeled “Proposed Additional General Fund Reductions for Review” equaling $164,000. Alderman Virgil seconded. Discussion ensued in regard to the amendment. Alderman Irby moved to amend the motion for two of the green listed line items to be cut further. Amendment dies due to lack of a second. Further discussion ensued on original motion before committee.
Ayes: Jacob Hill, Michael Bram, and Dan Virgil
Nays: Rex Irby, Mike Brennan, Jennifer Veremis, Brian Belanger, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Noel Talluto, Mike Baker, Jim Nudera, Guido Nardini, and Emily Bastedo
3 Ayes, 11 Nays
Motion fails.
Alderman Irby moved to reinstate the two tree line items of $17,500 and $27,500. Motion died due to lack of second.
Alderman Virgil moved to reduce trolley by $20,000 and community grants by half. Alderman Irby seconded. Discussion ensued.
Ayes: Rex Irby, Jacob Hill, Michael Bram, and Dan Virgil
Nays: Mike Brennan, Jennifer Veremis, Brian Belanger, Karen Sienko, Chris Jensen, Noel Talluto, Mike Baker, Jim Nudera, Guido Nardini, and Emily Bastedo
4 Ayes, 10 Nays
Motion fails.
4. Adjournment – Alderman Nardini moved to adjourn the COW meeting. Alderman Veremis seconded. A voice vote was taken. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 7:52pm.
https://go.boarddocs.com/il/coe/Board.nsf/Public
