Mayor Jim Dodge said the Orland Park Village Board adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget during its recent meeting and approved a slate of development and infrastructure actions. "This budget includes no new taxes," Dodge said, and he noted the budget is balanced within village financial policies and projects a 42% available fund balance by the end of 2026.

The mayor emphasized public safety as a major theme of the budget and announced the village will add eight new sworn police officers, the first significant increase in staffing in two decades. "The village will be adding 8 new sworn police officers, the first major increase in staffing in 20 years," Dodge said. Funding adjustments and cost-savings underpin the additions: Dodge said switching health insurance carriers will save approximately $7,000,000 over five years, property casualty insurance changes will save about $340,000, and a redesigned intersection for a roundabout at 153rd and Mervini Avenue is projected to save about $800,000.

On the Centennial Park West concert series, Dodge said the village has faced recurring deficits since ticketing began in 2019 and reported that "In 2025 alone, the village spent $1,830,000 for Centennial Park West concert venue." He said the proposed FY2026 budget significantly reduces concert-related expenses and that village leaders will pursue a community-driven planning process in 2026 to determine the park and venue's long-term future.

The board approved annexations of properties along Wolf Road from 171st to 175th Street after residents voiced concerns during public comment. Dodge said staff addressed residents' issues and the board "instructed staff to work with the residents to ensure we can find solutions that benefit everyone." The transcript does not include vote tallies for the annexation approvals.

The board also voted to proceed with eminent domain to acquire blighted properties near 94th Avenue and 159th Street, noting the parcels include a BP gas station that has been vacant since March 2020. Dodge framed those acquisitions as steps to address a high-accident intersection and to return sites to productive business use; the meeting record does not provide a roll-call vote in the transcript.

On infrastructure, the board approved a construction contract to stabilize the Tinley Creek stream bank. "Our engineering department secured a $3,700,000 grant," Dodge said, and he added the village has worked closely with homeowners to advance the erosion-control project. Tinley Creek was described as a key part of the village's stormwater management system; the village does not own the creek channel.

Economic development actions included approval of a redevelopment agreement allowing Dick's House of Sports to occupy a long-vacant Sears space at Orland Square Mall. The agreement includes facade and parking improvements and the creation of a tax-increment financing (TIF) district for the site to improve stormwater capacity and advance the project.

The board approved an intergovernmental agreement permitting Tinley Park police to use Orland Park's new training facility, range and simulator room, which Dodge said strengthens regional cooperation and helps recover operational costs. The board passed a resolution supporting Illinois' America 250 commemoration and began integrating the 250th anniversary into village events and facilities planning.

The meeting record shows the board also approved and released a settlement agreement in William Sanchez v. Orland Park; Dodge said the settlement "closes out this matter so we can refocus our effort back towards the future of this community." The transcript does not list settlement terms.

Dodge closed the briefing recognizing local organizations — Ballet 5 a as business of the month and CTF Illinois as community organization of the month — and invited continued engagement from residents. The record indicates several agenda items were adopted or advanced but does not include detailed roll-call vote tallies in the provided transcript.