PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – Trustees in Peoria Heights have passed a balanced budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Last week, the Board of Trustees approved a general fund budget with a surplus of more than $200,000 in the $6 million spending plan.
Mayor Matt Wigginton says the surplus came despite some cost increases, including insurance. But he notes the property tax levy went down, along with the elimination of the grocery tax.
Wigginton says revenues are growing due to economic growth and new businesses in the village.
One of the big costs in the overall budget includes the construction of a new water filtration system, something the village has gone without in its 128 year history. The cost of the project is expected to be around $8-9 million, with Wigginton saying it will add more confidence to the water quality in Peoria Heights.
“We have it great with the Sankoty aquifer right below the ground here in Peoria Heights. But that being said, we want to make sure that our water is clean, it is free of lead,” Wigginton said.
Wigginton says there’s also plans to “future-proof” filtration with p-fas chemicals to keep up with future regulations. He says the village is also planning to replace lead service lines at no cost to residents.
Peoria Heights is also investing in its emergency services, with $2,768,800 going to the police department and $1,168,000 going to the fire department.
In October last year, Peoria Heights contracted Peoria to perform some fire services, such as fires and vehicle crashes. Wigginton says the hope with the investment in the fire department is to become fully independent again in the future.
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