City of Aurora Unveils 2027 Proposed Budget

The City of Aurora has unveiled its proposed 2027 budget, highlighting a continued commitment to strategic infrastructure improvements, public safety, and fiscal responsibility.  
 
The proposed budget is currently set at $603,696,865, which represents an $84,736,709 reduction compared to the 2026 fiscal year. This decision allows for a lessened reliance on one-time funding stopgaps to balance the budget, while beginning the longer-term work of bringing ongoing expenses into alignment with sustainable revenues. The proposal includes spending reductions in specific departments and organizational changes, mainly in response to rising operating costs, growing pension obligations, and aging infrastructure, while prioritizing public safety, reliable water service, street maintenance, and sustainability. 
 
The City’s Police and Fire Departments are set to increase their budgets by 6.84 percent and 7.80 percent, respectively. This critical investment partially restores the Police Department’s Cadet Program, adds funding to the Police Social Work Program, plus assists the Fire Department in reinstating a battalion chief position, retaining an additional reserve fire engine, and making equipment upgrades to the Department’s hazardous materials team. Both Police and Fire response times continue to improve, with the Fire Department, in particular, reducing its response time on the City’s Far East Side by 25 percent in Station 9’s district and over 19 percent in Station 13’s district. 
 
As the City continues its ambitious lead service line replacement program, the proposed 2027 budget includes $9.8 million for this essential initiative, along with an additional $7.35 million for water main evaluation, repair, and replacement. Through this approach, the City will strengthen the Water and Sewer Fund and pursue funding sources that can reduce pressure on residents’ water bills. The expanded water funding will protect public health, assist the City in complying with a federal mandate regarding lead service line replacements, and improve water reliability. 

The proposed budget also includes $7.35 million to resurface approximately 35 lane-miles of neighborhood streets, alongside $3.5 million for approximately 15 to 20 lane-miles of arterial and collector roads. Additionally, the City will begin construction on the long-awaited Orchard Road Sound Wall project. In downtown Aurora, a two-way conversion for Galena Boulevard and New York Street is also scheduled to take place in 2027. The Broadway Streetscape project will add wider sidewalks and improve business opportunities along one of the City’s most significant corridors. 
 
As downtown Aurora enhances programming through large-scale events, the Paramount Theatre, and RiverEdge Park, the proposed budget includes funding to improve parking access. The Aurora Civic Center Authority, which saw subscriptions to the Paramount Theatre’s Broadway Series surpass 41,000 people in 2026, will receive a $1.5 million payment as the organization progresses in its efforts to maintain financial sustainability. 

The City plans to make continued investments in energy-efficient housing, small business development, historic preservation, and neighborhood beautification. This will be done through the establishment of a revolving loan program, which will offer low-interest loans to help small business owners invest in their businesses, come up to code compliance, support the creation of energy-efficient housing, and assist residents in performing historic preservation work on their homes. This new program can help local entrepreneurs improve their properties, while enhancing opportunities for residents to save money on utility bills and beautify their neighborhoods. 
 
The Mayor’s Office is also proceeding with efforts to “Flip The Rate,” working with state lawmakers to force data centers to pay their fair share in utility taxes. Through this proposal, local municipalities would have the ability to raise progressive tax revenue on data centers, which currently pay a lower tax rate as their use of kilowatt-hours increases. By lobbying to “Flip The Rate,” the City could have the authority to collect more utility taxes from data centers and reduce utility taxes for residents.  

“We are making significant investments in what matters most to our community, while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” Mayor John Laesch said. “This proposal ensures that we continue to serve our residents effectively without compromising our long-term fiscal health.” 
 
The current proposed budget would keep the general tax levy flat, allowing regular, day-to-day City functions to refrain from impacting property taxes. Property taxes required to repay City bond issuances and public safety pensions, though, are expected to rise, while the Mayor’s Office continues to pursue progressive revenue options that support essential services and advance long-term financial stability. 
 
Members of the public are invited to engage in the City’s 2027 budget process. Each Special Finance Committee meeting will contain opportunities for public comment and will be live-streamed on the City of Aurora’s YouTube channel, Aurora Community Television (Channel 10 Xfinity/Channel 99 AT&T U-Verse), the City of Aurora’s Twitch Channel, and the City of Aurora app, available on the App Store and Google Play. 

The 2027 budget process will conclude with a final overview at the City’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday, December 1 at 5 P.M., with approval set to take place at the Tuesday, December 8 City Council meeting, which begins at 6 P.M. All meetings will take place on the second floor of City Hall, located at 44 E. Downer Place.