Alderwoman Linda Barnes

06/11/2026

📊 Rock Island General Fund Projection (2026-2031)

As I continue reviewing the City's finances, I wanted to share this General Fund projection that was included in the 2026 budget materials.

The projection shows expenditures increasing faster than revenues over the next several years, resulting in growing annual deficits that would require the continued use of available fund balance (reserves), along with identifying new sources of revenue or decreasing expenses.

Some key takeaways:

• Revenue is projected to increase from $45.4 million to $47.3 million.

• Expenditures are projected to increase from $52.0 million to $61.1 million.

• The annual deficit is projected to grow from $6.6 million in 2026 to $13.8 million in 2031.

These projections raise important questions about long-term financial sustainability, reserve levels, and how we address the growing gap between revenues and expenditures.

As your Alderwoman, I believe residents deserve transparency and thoughtful discussion about the City's financial future.

The 2027 budget process is underway and assumptions behind these projections will change as actual data is finalized and new sources of revenue are identified.

I welcome your thoughts and questions as we work together to keep Rock Island financially strong for future generations. Please contact me directly at [email protected].

Source Data: 2026 Budget Binder https://www.rigov.org/241/Budget

06/08/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

06/07/2026

Ahead of Monday night's City Council meeting, I want to share my position on two personnel-related agenda items.

After much thought and consideration, I plan to vote "no" on:

• Agenda Item 15a – Grade reclassification for the City Clerk position

• Agenda Item 15b – Hiring of an unbudgeted Police Customer Services Assistant position

My vote is not a reflection on the employees involved, the quality of their work, or the importance of the services they provide. Rather, it is based on my responsibility to exercise fiscal oversight and remain consistent with the budget principles I have previously expressed.

Last year, I voted against the adoption of the 2026 budget, and one of my primary concerns was the continued growth in personnel costs and the increase in the number of funded positions.

I believe it is important to exercise restraint when adding recurring personnel obligations, particularly when those increases were not included in the budget approved by the Council.

Because these items would further increase both personnel costs and staffing commitments, I believe it is important to remain consistent with the position I took during the budget process.

Others may disagree on this issue, and I respect their perspectives. However, I believe it is important to maintain fiscal discipline and consistency in the decisions I make on behalf of Ward 3 residents and the taxpayers of Rock Island.

Thank you for allowing me to serve our community. As always, I welcome respectful feedback.

Alderwoman Linda Barnes
Ward 3

06/05/2026

City Council Meeting Agenda
June 8, 2026 - 5:45 PM

CivicClerk events and agendas for citizens

06/04/2026

I dropped by the Martin Luther King Cafe at the MLK Center this morning and enjoyed the chance to sit and converse with a range of people in a relaxed setting, really appreciating the community-focused approach they have adopted.

05/28/2026

Today I had the privilege of performing double duty during the Rock Island Academy groundbreaking, serving the community as Ward 3 Alderwoman and the school district as a substitute teacher.

05/26/2026

Please Note: This Thursday, May 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 630 9th St.

The FY 2026 TIF-Funded Housing Rehabilitation Pilot Program is an exciting opportunity for the City to provide one-time grants to residential property owners who own property within the Residential Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District North 11th Street and North Port (TIF) District. 

05/25/2026