The Joliet City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday concerning its 2026 budget and also will vote on next year’s property tax levy.

The proposed 2026 budget is balanced with $305 million in spending in the two major operating funds for general services and for water and sewer. Projected spending would be $28 million more than year-end spending this year.

The budget includes 11 new staff positions, including director of cultural affairs and special events, who would be added to the roster after the city created the position earlier this year.

The budget hearing will be part of the council meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m.

Finance Director Kevin Sing’s second budget presentation to the council will be shown at a workshop session at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

The council is expected to vote on the budget at its Dec. 16 meeting, a budget supported in part by the city’s $54.5 million property tax levy.

The council will vote on the proposed levy at its meeting Tuesday. The tax levy is up from a $51.9 million levy this year.

The additional property tax revenue would come from new construction and increased property values, city officials said. The city tax rate will stay the same, however.

City of Joliet property taxes account for about 12% of a resident’s total property tax bill, city officials said.