Rochelle 2026 Budget Slightly Lower, Focuses on Infrastructure and Grants

ROCHELLE — Rochelle City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh presented the city’s potential 2026 budget during a workshop Monday night, totaling just over $120 million, down slightly from last year due to reduced capital spending on water and wastewater projects. The budget funds the completion of Well 8, design work for Well 13, and $16,000 in federally supported sewer lining. It also includes new pickleball courts at the golf course, downtown event space improvements, and phase three of a multi-jurisdictional fire training facility. Fiegenschuh credited city staff for securing federal, state, and local grants for water, sewer, and fire projects.