===== PDF PAGE 2 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Item # 2.A. DRAFT MINUTES- Pending Approval CITY OF WEST CHICAGO – 475 Main Street FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES Regular Meeting December 1, 2025 1. Call to Order, Roll Call and Establishment of a Quorum Alderman Dimas called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. on December 1, 2025. Roll call found Daniel M. Beebe, Sandy Dimas, Alton Hallett, Matthew Myers, Jayme Sheahan, Rebecca Stout, and Chris Swiatek present. A quorum was established. Staff in attendance: Interim City Administrator Tia Messino, Finance Director Nikki Giles, and Business and Community Relations Director Kelley Chrisse. 2. Approval of Minutes Finance Committee Meeting Minutes of November 3, 2025 Alderman Swiatek made a motion, seconded by Alderman Stout, to approve the Finance Committee Meeting minutes of November 3, 2025. Voting Aye: Alderman Beebe, Dimas, Hallett, Myers, Sheahan, Stout, and Swiatek. Voting Nay: 0. Absent: 0 Motion carried. 3. Public Participation / Presentations. None 4. Items for Consent. A. Ordinance 25-O-0053 – 2026 Proposed Budget B. Ordinance 25-O-0054 – Property Tax Levy C. Ordinance 25-O-0055 – Special Service Area #2 Levy D. Business Support Specialist Job Description Alderman Dimas asked for an overview on the items on the Consent Agenda. Interim City Administrator, Tia Messino, briefed the committee on the 2026 Proposed Budget. She noted the budget totals $68,965,106 which is about a 20% increase from fiscal year 2025 and primarily due to capital projects, community park, and downtown revitalization. ICA Tia Messino informed that the standard 4.9% levy increase is consistent with our multiyear practice and offsets rising police pension obligations. She also noted that with EAV growth, the actual tax rate is expected to fall slightly below last year’s level. She also noted that economic development continues to build momentum and the 2025 initiatives will be expanded in 2026 through the economic development work plan, promoting the new website, marketing and placemaking initiatives. These include the downtown investment program, revised retail restaurant grants, and strengthening collaboration with businesses to encourage reinvestment. ===== PDF PAGE 3 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] Finance Director, Nikki Giles, provided an overview on the Property Tax Levy and the Special Service Area #2 Levy. Business and Community Relations Director, Kelley Chrisse, provided an overview of the new business support specialist role. She noted that the new position will enable her time to focus on strategic initiatives on relationship building, trying to attract investment and providing better customer service to our businesses. The business support specialist position will be responsible for handling administrative functions, business registrations, coordinate onsite-visits, and assist with retention visits. The business support specialist would provide assistance to new businesses to be able to maintain or obtain occupancy, assist with licensing in order to navigate our process. They would be responsible for maintaining property and investment data, which is helpful in targeting new investment and recruit businesses based on our business mix in the community. Alderman Stout made a motion, seconded by Alderman Sheahan, to approve the Consent Agenda. Voting Aye: Alderman Beebe, Dimas, Hallett, Myers, Sheahan, Stout, and Swiatek. Voting Nay: 0. Abesent: 0. Motion carried. E. Items for Discussion. None 6. Unfinished Business. None 7. New Business. None 8. Reports from Staff. None 9. Executive Session (if needed). None 10. Adjournment. Alderman Dimas said she appreciates all the effort that went into the 2026 budget, to include staff, elected officials and members of the community that participated in the workshops. She noted that everyone’s work does not go unnoticed. At 6:16p.m., Alderman Stout made a motion, seconded by Alderman Swiatek, to adjourn the meeting. All Aldermen voted Aye by voice vote. Respectfully submitted, Josie Avilez