City Council
Sep 28, 2026
The lede
- Five Belvidere police officers received awards from Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists for their work in 2025, and Officer Austin Smaha received his official badge after completing his probationary period.
- Twelve residents spoke in opposition to “Project Hawkeye,” a proposed data center and annexation.
- The council approved a $90,000 payment for repairs to the Irene Road Bridge, with future maintenance costs split between the city, Boone County, Flora Township, and the Illinois Tollway.
- The council approved spending $159,011 from the Sewer Depreciation Account to repair two of four aging disc filters at the wastewater treatment plant.
Decisions & votes
Irene Road Bridge agreements – The council approved an intergovernmental agreement with Boone County and Flora Township Road District for bridge maintenance. The city will pay $90,000 for current repairs and share future capital improvements to the deck 50/50 with Boone County. Flora Township will handle routine maintenance like plowing and pothole filling, while the Illinois Tollway will maintain the super structure. The council also approved a separate intergovernmental agreement for the Irene Road Interchange between the Illinois Tollway, the city, Boone County, and Flora Township. Both motions passed on voice votes.
Wastewater treatment plant disc filter repairs – The council waived the bidding process and approved a $159,011.41 proposal from Veolia Water Technologies to rebuild disc filter vessels #2 and #3. The 15-year-old filters have exceeded their 10-year life span. Filters #1 and #4 will be repaired later and budgeted over the next two years. Payment will come from the Sewer Depreciation Account. Both motions passed on voice votes.
Kishwaukee Riverfront Path Extension – The council approved a $17,540 design engineering change order from ARC Design Resources for the path extension. The work will be paid for from grant funds and capital funds. Construction services will be handled separately at an estimated 5-6% of the contract amount. Motion passed on voice vote.
Allen Street Pond Outlet project – The council approved the low bid from N-Trak Group for $1,987,322.50 for the Allen Street Pond Outlet to the River Project, to be paid from capital funds.
Discussion items
Public opposition to Project Hawkeye – Twelve residents spoke against Project Hawkeye, a proposed data center and annexation: Billi Darenger, Michael Novak, Lloyd Roberts, Ruth Haberstich, Kay Wilson, William Boughton, Katie Boughton, Anne O’Haire, Teresa Stein, Jeff Hulsey, Rebecca Meyer, and Lisa Fitzgerald.
Department updates – Police Chief Shane Woody and Fire Chief Shawn Schadle presented updates on their departments. Chief Schadle also presented an overview of the 2026 Fire Department Annual Report. Budget and Finance Director Sarah Turnipseed provided a finance department update.
Executive session – The council did not enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining matters, though it was listed on the agenda.
Financial / operational notes
The city will pay $90,000 for Irene Road Bridge repairs with future deck improvement costs split 50/50 with Boone County.
The $159,011.41 for wastewater treatment plant disc filter repairs was not a budgeted item and will be paid from the Sewer Depreciation Account.
The Allen Street Pond Outlet to the River Project will cost $1,987,322.50, paid from capital funds.
The Kishwaukee Riverfront Path Extension design engineering change order of $17,540 will be paid from grant funds and capital funds, with construction services estimated at 5-6% of the contract amount.