Rochelle local news summary

City council lowers property tax rate for 2026

Council approves AiDash software for tree management in split vote

Public meeting scheduled to discuss data centers

New grant program proposed to fund interior business improvements

City to purchase downtown lots for fire department parking

Advanced pole inspections prevented major power outage

Spring Lake environmental cleanup officially complete

Railroad operator reports stable volume, eyes major UP-NS merger

Proposed 2026 county budget jumps by $2.1 million

Ogle County property values rise, tax rate to see slight increase

Industrial, residential properties form bulk of Ogle County tax base

Increased permit fees to boost county revenue by $250,000

County health department faces financial strain

City council lowers property tax rate for 2026

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The Rochelle City Council on Monday approved a new property tax levy that will lower the city’s tax rate for property owners. Despite an increase in the total amount levied to $3,104,199, a nearly $30 million increase in the city’s Equalized Assessed Valuation will cause the tax rate to fall from about 92 cents to 87 cents per $100 of EAV. City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh credited the city’s economic growth for allowing the rate reduction while still fully funding police and fire pensions at recommended actuarial levels.

Council approves AiDash software for tree management in split vote

ROCHELLE, Ill. — In a 6-1 vote, the City Council approved a five-year agreement with AiDash Inc. for vegetation management software at an annual cost of $54,000. The software uses artificial intelligence and satellite imagery to identify hazard trees and predict growth near power lines to help prevent outages. Officials said the technology has already proven about 94 percent accurate in a pilot program. Councilor Ben Valdivieso cast the lone dissenting vote after questioning the technology’s ability to determine a tree’s health from satellite images.

Public meeting scheduled to discuss data centers

ROCHELLE, Ill. — Mayor John Bearrows announced a public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, to discuss the potential development of data centers in Rochelle. The meeting will feature presentations from city staff and site selectors representing data center developers, followed by a question-and-answer session on power and water usage, location, noise and other potential impacts.

New grant program proposed to fund interior business improvements

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The City Council reviewed a proposal for a new Small Business Interior Improvement Program aimed at revitalizing downtown properties. The program, proposed to start in January 2026 with an initial budget of $30,000 from landfill funds, would provide a 50 percent matching grant of up to $10,000 for eligible interior projects like HVAC, electrical, plumbing and accessibility upgrades. The program would be open to small businesses within the downtown tax increment financing district on a first-come, first-served basis.

City to purchase downtown lots for fire department parking

ROCHELLE, Ill. — The council unanimously approved the purchase of two vacant lots at 313 W. Fifth Ave. for $110,000. The property, located just east of lots the city already owns next to the fire department, will be used to create additional parking to replace spaces lost elsewhere and to provide more capacity for volunteer firefighters responding to calls. The acquisition will be funded by the Downtown and Southern Gateway tax increment financing fund.

Advanced pole inspections prevented major power outage

ROCHELLE, Ill. — An advanced utility inspection program saved the city from a potentially significant power outage at the local ethanol plant, officials reported Monday. Using thermal imaging, the Fast Forward Line Inspection program identified a critically overheating switch that could have failed without warning. Rochelle Municipal Utilities scheduled a planned outage for repairs, preventing significant downtime for the plant. Citywide inspections identified numerous thermal anomalies, with projected outage-mitigation savings estimated at more than $188,000—roughly double the program’s cost, officials said.

Spring Lake environmental cleanup officially complete

ROCHELLE, Ill. — City staff announced that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has officially closed its file on the mineral oil leak at Spring Lake that occurred on June 5. After reviewing final soil sample reports, the agency determined that remediation efforts are complete and no further action is needed. The incident was caused by a downed utility pole. The city is collaborating with the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District to repair fencing and regrade the waterfall area.

Railroad operator reports stable volume, eyes major UP-NS merger

ROCHELLE, Ill. — Peter Hoth, president and CEO of Burlington Junction Railway, reported that rail car volumes on the city’s railroad have remained stable this year, with increased revenue from transloading and car storage. Hoth also addressed the proposed about $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, saying the creation of a first transcontinental U.S. railroad could be “very good for Rochelle” by opening new markets to the east while maintaining western competition from BNSF Railway. The deal is in the early regulatory phase with the Surface Transportation Board.

Proposed 2026 county budget jumps by $2.1 million

OREGON, Ill. - The Ogle County Board reviewed a proposed $51.3 million budget for fiscal year 2026, representing a 4.16 percent, or $2.1 million, increase over the prior year. The largest single increase is within the County General Fund, which is set to grow by nearly $1.45 million. Finance, Revenue and Insurance Committee Chairman Jeff Billeter attributed a portion of the general fund increase to changes in employee salaries. The board was told that overall county revenues are estimated to rise by approximately $131,582 next year.

Ogle County property values rise, tax rate to see slight increase

OREGON, Ill. - Ogle County property values are projected to increase by 6.6 percent in the coming year, boosting the county’s total equalized assessed valuation to over $2.2 billion, according to a budget presentation at the County Board meeting on Oct. 27. Finance Committee Chairman Jeff Billeter reported the increase of approximately $147 million in property value will be accompanied by a minor tax rate increase of .00034. The proposed rate for the 2026 fiscal year is .67621.

Industrial, residential properties form bulk of Ogle County tax base

OREGON, Ill. - Residential and industrial properties remain the primary sources of tax revenue for Ogle County, according to data presented during the 2026 budget review. Residential taxes account for 40 percent of the county’s funds, while industrial taxes contribute 32 percent, a figure that ranks Ogle County third in the state of Illinois for industrial tax revenue. The remaining funds are sourced from farm taxes (17 percent), commercial business taxes (9 percent), and railroads and mineral taxes (2 percent).

Increased permit fees to boost county revenue by $250,000

OREGON, Ill. - A fee increase for special-use permits approved earlier in the year is expected to significantly boost county revenue in fiscal year 2026. In response to a query from Board member Susie Corbitt, it was explained that projected revenue from these permits will rise from $350,000 to $600,000. Board member Ben Youman confirmed the projected increase was a direct result of the previously approved fee hike. (In January, the board set a fixed $100,000 application fee for commercial solar and wind special-use petitions.)

County health department faces financial strain

OREGON, Ill. - The Ogle County Health Department is experiencing financial difficulties after a loss of grant funding, it was revealed during the County Board’s budget discussion on Monday. Board member Susie Corbitt questioned a decrease in a health-related interfund transfer, prompting an explanation from Finance Chairman Jeff Billeter. Billeter stated the Health Department had struggled to pay its rent to the county for two years and is seeking new sources of income. The county has attempted to assist by reducing the department’s rent.

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