2026 Village of Eleva budget approved at special meeting
ELEVA - The Eleva Village Board approved the village's 2026 budget at a special meeting of the Board held at the Village Hall on Nov. 24.
The budget was adopted unanimously with the levy set at $224,774.00. The mill rate was set at 5.0596400 (an increase of 13.07%). This was done after a public hearing.
In an updates on dam repairs – an email from Oakridge Engineering updating work being done to satisfy the DNR to get permitted.
In other agenda items, the Board agreed to order a siren for 2026 from Federal Signal Corporation for $15,728.00 for parts and shipping. Order now to be shipped and billed in 2026. Approved also from Emergency Communication Systems for $9,875.00 for installation of the new siren.
There will considerable turnover on the Board going into 2026. An appointee is needed to replace Denise Durham and one at end of December for Rodger Forsythe. Also need two for April election replacing Brett Semingson and Ben Aiona. Board members agreed tol try to find new candidates through an ad on Facebook and run an ad in AD-Delite on December 2, 2025. Put ads up at Post Office, Express Mart and Clerk Bulletin Board. One way to get new members on the Board is to raise salaries and Board voted to do so per meeting at the regular November meeting of the Board on the 10th in the Village Hall. The salary per meeting for the Village President went from $120.00 to $150.00. Village Trustees from $60.00 to $75.00. This is for all meetings attended. This raise takes effect in April 2026 for the Board members up for election in 2026. The Board members to be elected in 2027 will receive the raise at that time.
There was considerable discussion on undeveloped lots in the Rolling Meadows property. Board members will look at how much it would cost to get roads/curb & gutter through there, possibly $10,000 - $15,000 per lot on the west side of the road.
In other agenda items, the Board voted to table purchasing a gun for the Police Department. Will trade old gun towards a new one. Board members also approve continuing health insurance with Quartz for 2026 with G401: Quartz One Achieve Gold HMO-SA8 renewal at $4,453.08 per month for employees. Village will continue to pay 100% percent of employee/spouse/family insurance. The rent for the corner building upstairs apartments for 2026 was increased to $575.00 month (up from $525.00). Clerk to send letter regarding raise and to comment that hallway and stairs will be painted and new flooring in 2026. All voted aye. Motion carried.
