EVANSTON, IL - Evanston City Manager Luke Stowe has released the City’s 2023 Proposed Budget, which prioritizes investments in City facilities and infrastructure, advancement of the City’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan, and community development and job creation as the city continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommended budget also supports the restoration of City services and operations to pre-pandemic levels, and promotes employee retention by increasing wages and addressing areas of understaffing. The proposed budget is subject to review and approval by the City Council, which will first discuss the proposal at a special meeting on October 17.

The total proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget is $402,510,693, which includes all funds and interfund transfer expenses. This represents a $42.1 million increase from the 2022 Adopted Budget, largely attributable to new and previously approved capital improvement projects and a drawdown of reserves in funds that have built up a significant fund balance. The General Fund is balanced with $125,285,315 in projected revenues and expenditures, representing a $7.4 million increase from the 2022 Adopted Budget.

“As the City continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am proud to present a budget that supports our citywide economic recovery while also addressing critical infrastructure and staffing issues to ensure we can continue to meet our community’s needs now and in the future,” said City Manager Luke Stowe. “This proposed budget maintains and in many ways expands the exceptional level of service that our residents, businesses and visitors have come to expect.”

2023 Proposed Budget

Revenues. In 2023, with a continued recovery from COVID-19 and the impact of inflation, the City projects increases to state income tax, natural gas utility tax, sales tax, use tax, and hotel tax revenues. The 2023 Proposed Budget also includes a 4 percent – or $2.6 million – increase in the net property tax levy for the City and Library to support increases in personnel and operating expenses, translating into an additional $64 a year for a $300,000 home. 

Expenses. Per recommendations from the City’s compensation study, as well as high inflation rates and tight labor market conditions, the 2023 Proposed Budget includes a 4.5 percent across-the-board wage increase for non-union employees, which will serve as a placeholder for union contract negotiations, as well as adds 22.5 new and restored staff positions in the General Fund, including seven new firefighter/paramedics to support a new ambulance and three building permit and property standards staff positions. Staff is also recommending a phased increase to the City's General Fund balance policy, from 16.66 percent currently to 20 percent by 2024

Capital Improvement Plan

The City’s 2023 Proposed Budget includes a $103 million Capital Improvement Plan, with expenses spread across 10 funds. Proposed capital spending included in the Budget for Council consideration include:

$25.7 million for street resurfacing, water main and sewer projects, including a pilot program to replace partial lead water service lines

$6.3 million for alley, intersection and sidewalk improvements

$9.6 million for parks projects

$15.3 million for City facility repairs and upgrades

$45.4 million for water treatment, billing and storage, including replacement of an existing water intake pipeline

American Rescue Plan Act Funding Proposals

In the summer of 2021, the City received $43 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Following a series of town hall meetings and roundtable discussions, the City Council approved an ARPA plan prioritizing allocation of funds, of which $10 million remain available for allocation. City staff are recommending $2.1 million be used to support the City’s Parking Fund ($600,000) and Equipment Replacement Fund ($1.5 million) to replace vehicles that are past their life cycle. Additional projects for Council consideration include business district capital improvements, workforce development services and support for the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse.

Proposed Changes to Water and Sanitation Rates

The 2023 Proposed Budget includes a 5 percent increase to the water rate to cover the cost of the City’s Lead Service Line Replacement Workforce Development Program, which amounts to $13.50 more per year for an average Evanston resident, or $2.25 more per bi-monthly bill. In addition, the Proposed Budget includes a 1.8 percent increase in solid waste rates,  translating into a $2.19 annual increase for households with a 65-gallon refuse container, or a $4.95 increase for households with a 95-gallon refuse container

About the Budget

The annual budget is a policy document that sets the financial course for the City of Evanston and defines the service priorities provided to the community. It is the culmination of months of effort by the entire City staff, as well as residents, to balance available resources with the actual and desired services required by Evanston residents, businesses and visitors. The online 2023 Proposed Budget document can be found at cityofevanston.org/budget. 

The City of Evanston’s 2023 Proposed Budget will be formally presented to the Evanston City Council on Monday, October 17. Residents are also invited to participate in a public hearing on the budget on Monday, October 24. Both meetings will be held in a hybrid virtual/in-person format.

The City is also planning two community town hall meetings to solicit public input on the Proposed Budget, with dates and locations to be announced.

Residents are encouraged to provide their input on the 2023 Proposed Budget through any of the following channels:

Online: cityofevanston.org/budget  

Email: [email protected]

Mail: City Manager’s Office, 2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201

Phone/Text: 847-448-4311

Facebook: facebook.com/cityofevanston

Twitter: twitter.com/cityofevanston

For more information about the 2023 Proposed Budget, visit cityofevanston.org/budget or call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, residents may simply dial 3-1-1 in Evanston.

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