[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6070989,"mediaKeyId","3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169","parentId",3048556,"title","Council approves new communications training operator; police and fire staffing requests split council","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",14824000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169&start=14824&end=14824","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169/thumbnail_14824000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6070989/Sioux-City/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Council-approves-new-communications-training-operator-police-and-fire-staffing-requests-split-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070989-85de17e151d771b2f0101fe41469f5eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199048&Signature=MWQhZlvMA204Z1UbeYyfD-qN9v0Y77vg-wKvAS~yNZCtcm3xoZ4o-vRE3VvGJsYhrkcZ7EmGyHtg5nxG6LFwQ49EApO~-Ry4onTADuC4tmBsT5RbdM5i4jAv5s5fHHWlk~GOGPMt3nnt6ZQVvAWw3NYOXKbz7awe5uchMIGxULJuSGUHU9-dp7SuGPPbgCc-h~NS8ve~ExKXXmrOjQzuVf1XZOtlZfcHdGIOm5IbDG07ERLzJSQNQCm-wldMH2VpSewchGfduGzxuSq3e2aLGJBPz3UjQ3VOUhOXIwxI3HA4EhLOs7URTZ~bJHqextDmAB~lq9VUWPFCgfHdm7ZkoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sioux City Council","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Council members approved an improvement request to add a full-time communications training operator for the regional communications center. The city's share of the position was reported as roughly $69,585 (about 69.8% of the total), reflecting the intergovernmental funding split for that center. Councilmembers praised the communications staff’s workload and said the additional trainer will provide needed redundancy and support for onboarding and retention.

Public safety staffing was otherwise mixed. Fire Chief Ryan Collins requested reinstating an administrative assistant fire chief position reclassified in 2016; the chief argued call volume, EMS demands, and regional responsibilities (HAZMAT, urban search and rescue) require restored administrative capacity. Council members acknowledged the need but did not approve the position in this budget year; the chief said he will return with the request in future budget cycles.

Police Chief Rex Mueller reviewed recruitment and retention. Council discussed adding officers to rebuild experience lost to retirements. After debate, council approved funding for one additional patrol officer (the motion passed after roll-call votes recorded in the transcript). Council members urged continued recruitment, use of grant funding and careful pipeline management to avoid gaps created by unexpected losses.

Ending: Council approved the communications training operator and one police officer; the assistant fire chief request was not approved this year, though the fire chief said he will reintroduce the request next budget cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sioux City Budget Meeting - February 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council voted to add a communications training operator (shared cost with county). Separately, a request to reinstate an assistant fire chief was deferred and a motion to add one police officer passed after debate about recruitment and state tax effects.","taxTitle","Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa","taxId",3852,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6070994,"Council grills Human Rights director as members propose cuts amid tight budget",912,9878000,10790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169&start=9878&end=10790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169/thumbnail_9878000.jpg","/articles/6070994/Sioux-City/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Council-grills-Human-Rights-director-as-members-propose-cuts-amid-tight-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070994-06a270dba6d0c58847a633a5a3323968/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199048&Signature=DmaOowGPk3Je-0GBxQsyQFb7gu7O-oe3py2LKyhY6NF0l~zRzBB8pfCi8KtIqNFtAsLX5Pco99sVCiIctBZCXX~HB83SeoRd0kYfb3Qn1U1p0VfF6BCrX-~mXrAOysP6f4wLsY7SiXyDEgqPoQl5fkc6r8L4LyI34j-iHpLaFyQnAv0RGFRyMltPklmR--Qqjl7kqm0qC7jVmrJDEjK7y~wWXbI8fK8ENVYXKLbroszz4jss3ebOaxgJk302rw9Hg~bnYSYeEO7k85smwPSZy3BW5BZhqpQNJ5dxUb4mMlHTj9oJiNdBcn1OgYTUkNpRPe9gKEgHcjymGPyAXkHF6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council’s human-rights director reviewed the department’s caseload, revenue sources and recent billing delays from state and federal partners, prompting firm pushback from some council members who proposed a near-term cut.

Director Karen Mackie said the office processed roughly 44 cases in the year and described the complexity of housing and HUD-related complaints; she said HUD reimbursements (for housing cases) are larger than those from the state civil rights commission and noted recent delays in HUD payments tied to federal staffing changes.

Council debate was sharply divided. Supporters said the Human Rights office provides critical investigations and community outreach, helps the city retain HUD funding, and handles cross-filed cases with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and HUD. They also argued human-rights work has grown steadily from historical caseloads and that the city needs local capacity to respond to discrimination allegations and education needs.

Other councilmembers questioned whether the department’s budget should be reduced given the number of cases and the rate of cross‑filing to state agencies, and one member moved to reduce the Human Rights budget by $140,000 (an action that would effectively eliminate one full-time slot). That motion was seconded and debated; staff said they would need time to show how a reduction would be implemented and what services would be affected.

Ending: The council paused on a final decision in this hearing. Staff were asked to return with options and detailed impacts of any proposed reduction. The human-rights director emphasized the department’s role in retaining federal funds and recommended continued community partnerships to maintain services.

Note on attribution: Council raised multiple questions about case complexity, HUD reimbursements and staffing; the director supplied the caseload figures and described billing delays with HUD and the state commission.","Councilmembers pressed the Human Rights director about caseload, HUD and state funding and asked for more evidence of program efficiency before approving the full requested budget; a motion to reduce the department budget was made and debated.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6070999,"Council weighs phased switch from coin meters to smartphone and kiosk payment options",475,3815000,4290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169&start=3815&end=4290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169/thumbnail_3815000.jpg","/articles/6070999/Sioux-City/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Council-weighs-phased-switch-from-coin-meters-to-smartphone-and-kiosk-payment-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6070999-512e44595b539ec4a56a1b2fb43b1a89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199048&Signature=VW0Ha9ejZeR6c-0sN4kjyB1wdyc3oZbHDAM7J7EspmuQLiCP8Ffeojj5kuuhAahh4Yk9QqHraR1NhT-WHK3n4dkUEroPywOhKZJBeH31iP~mjdrU~PlPwKSewWALBC1AduSW6x9YJ~OS6-kq5aDYy9JbUyGi1pSIe-cJXwjKYeThlCqd7OEXjFfj5ZVk0efFY5vBWGtaZtgieVxmihMIUjCePEMopw9UIVycWX0oXMFMOHAZ3u6Ci52CTnJoqHoBps2NLyM6gzbVX-QrrXoP6ZaccFxjSMJmw0pH~hKF8~b6ZtvLZ-U7qTJIg7l9Uhe5l8VEN8Yi26hqEiIaq1bPNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members and parking staff discussed an ongoing effort to modernize on-street parking payments. Staff described plans to replace a stockpile of about 100 aging meters, refurbish another roughly 60 existing devices and pilot sign‑based, app/text-based payment options in lower‑use areas of downtown.

Staff said a full kiosk rollout is costly (an example price cited was about $8,500 per kiosk plus monthly fees) and could create confusion if implemented citywide too quickly. Councilmembers encouraged a phased approach: pilot sign-based ParkMobile or Civic Smart + text-to-pay in three low‑use zones (near the Art Center, by Famous Dave’s and the Orthodox church) while keeping meters in busier areas where coin and card usage remain significant.

Council and staff also discussed outreach and signage: members asked that any transition include clear signs with a parking‑space number, a QR code, and a short text number so people without smartphones or who do not want to download an app could still pay by text. Staff confirmed Civic Smart supports text‑to‑pay and will check with ParkMobile about sign options. The council asked staff to plan a 24‑month transition approach to reduce reliance on aging meters while maintaining accessibility for residents without phones or who prefer cash.

Ending: The council approved technical budget adjustments for meter replacement and directed staff to proceed with a phased pilot of signage-based and text payment options in specified low‑use areas, while preserving cash and kiosk options where appropriate.","Council members and parking staff discussed replacing aging on-street meters with sign-based ParkMobile/Civic Smart options, text-to-pay and limited kiosks. The council directed staff to pilot sign-based and text options in lower-traffic areas and to preserve cash options for people without cell phones.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6071005,"Council debates $200,000 downtown tenant-improvement fund funded by economic development sales tax",691,2904000,3595000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169&start=2904&end=3595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169/thumbnail_2904000.jpg","/articles/6071005/Sioux-City/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Council-debates-200000-downtown-tenant-improvement-fund-funded-by-economic-development-sales-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071005-f154d77369590d8f97e70acfb5edb1cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199048&Signature=T7T5OfeBxat117mIOmo2rPdqMhevoP6xtUkNuTk-fLeBWvIA4DEEZKPu5A2w0UQFPbSAbEXVa7UdFu~WiKiN7yn-dNIgWZGky9vTOwMpm7AxB6x~IHxZhRAQfF3j9k6DBdiZLNQhKxbqqggIfetdhH0-~3HSviKyzs3YvJNNqQijn5FV2mOnUPtQloOYbuZFuBIpxmJD20mMX6k6WgrllJZbRP8~IdqylE~giElPWzvVlNTK7kLVHHsYGlrHDA~hh~I8Be04yiITc74evAHCg7I1VwUcZJla0-KwgzebLyavz~xxjPRIFdV18CrVTZW9Z9A9k~zFkdZqq0cyeSIzoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City economic-development staff described a proposed downtown tenant‑improvement matching program intended to help build out vacant ground-floor commercial spaces and encourage retail that generates sales tax.

Staff presented the program concept as an evolution of the downtown facade grant: rather than pay for storefront facades, the fund would provide matching funds for tenant improvements to reduce the upfront cost for businesses and property owners. Staff said they hoped to fund three or four projects in the program’s first year, with matching dollars from tenants, owners and downtown partners; the program would be paid from economic development sales tax revenues rather than general property tax.

Council discussion focused on equity between downtown and “outlying” neighborhoods. One councilmember said the city had previously spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on façade programs outside downtown (Leeds, Riverside, Peters Park) and asked why the new program would prioritize downtown while those neighborhoods still had demand. City staff replied that remaining facade funds earmarked for those neighborhoods were being contacted and that some funds from prior years, unclaimed by applicants, were being reprogrammed into the downtown effort.

Council members pressed for details on terms: staff said the program would be structured like prior façade grants — a five‑year forgivable loan tied to a five‑year lease, with pro rata payback if the tenant leaves early. Staff also said the program is explicitly tied to economic development sales tax by ordinance, so funds must be used for economic development purposes.

Several councilmembers said they supported trying the program downtown if it demonstrably produces sales-tax revenue, but they wanted a prioritized list of projects and clear agreements before committing funds. One member urged starting small to evaluate the program before expanding to other neighborhoods; another asked that staff bring a full program design back to the council for approval before any funds were awarded.

Ending: Council did not take a final funding vote on the full program during this hearing. Staff said they would return with a formal program structure and agreement terms; council members asked staff to detail how remaining neighborhood façade funds would be used and examined potential metrics tied to sales tax generation.","City staff proposed a $200,000 matching program to help fill ground-floor retail in the downtown district, to be funded from economic development sales tax. Several council members questioned equity for outlying neighborhoods and asked for more detail and binding terms.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6071011,"Sioux City council hears budget squeeze as state tax changes push proposed levy higher",595,2265000,2860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169&start=2265&end=2860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048556-f7ab88c35a11a4c9645c7f6a3108f169/thumbnail_2265000.jpg","/articles/6071011/Sioux-City/Woodbury-County/Iowa/Sioux-City-council-hears-budget-squeeze-as-state-tax-changes-push-proposed-levy-higher","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6071011-d050903313426e4d15e031ae194680dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199048&Signature=mOLWmHJSVdPADTswsmNXTIhqO90pitszsu2ginv6EUjNwLO~JnK61lEJ3Zd7rP4uAX2FfPAGTg4sziBGxcurUml~dHYbbbFWmmKelqDAP0OL5f4BFIsdgmFr11BoBpOLFdo6QjDrEi1m0ohct4e~Th9JZ6YIjkrLwjdD9H--G2oDkwMVvq3xku4fVqAds5xNYG9GbseGW82IN~HRjRrRQlQmiSEzM1N81gUguvoR49hAs30JLaySzI271jQVhxuAt2LlhhhsrtXi8S29JtD1rkPTmANIA8zS~DfHc4tuOCR3EP~sHT9iDTVqOYaY7c7brNhgk6SMyqiBMu9-oCp9DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sioux City Council members opened a multi-hour budget hearing by warning residents that changes enacted at the state level have forced the city to seek higher property tax revenue.

Finance staff and council members told the hearing that, as presented in the council’s budget books, the levy would initially raise a residential property owner’s tax by about $56 per $100,000 of assessed value and a commercial property by about $137. Council and staff later said technical corrections reduced the residential increase to about $50 per $100,000 and the commercial increase to roughly $1.37 per $100,000 before any final changes at the operating hearing.

Council members repeatedly blamed three recent state bills for most of the increase. The city’s finance director identified the measures by bill numbers during the hearing and said the combined effect of those bills reduced the city’s tax capacity by roughly $3.3 million — a shortfall that otherwise would have kept the levy flat. Councilmember Alex (last name not specified in the record) said the result is “extraordinarily frustrating” because the council and staff must choose local reductions or ask residents to absorb the difference.

City staff noted procedural deadlines: the city must submit a maximum-levy filing to Woodbury County by 4 p.m. on March 5; once filed the levy represents a ceiling the city cannot exceed, though it can later be lowered before the final budget adoption in mid-April. Staff also said the mailed notice to property owners will display estimated next-year valuations and show an illustrative 10% valuation increase for clarity.

Councilmembers urged continued work to trim the levy before final adoption and asked staff to monitor technical adjustments and to identify items that could be delayed or funded from non-property-tax sources. At the close of the operating hearing staff summarized the technical changes and the council approved a motion incorporating technical adjustments into the FY 2026 operating and CIP budgets.

Ending: The council did not finalize the adopted levy at this hearing. Staff and council members said further adjustments and final action remain possible before formal adoption in mid‑April, and they emphasized the influence of state-level tax changes on the city’s margin for local priorities.","Council members said recent state law changes forced a higher proposed levy; staff applied technical changes that trimmed the residential impact to about $50 per $100,000 of assessed value before further budget decisions were finalized.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves new communications training operator; police and fire staffing requests split council

Council grills Human Rights director as members propose cuts amid tight budget

Council weighs phased switch from coin meters to smartphone and kiosk payment options

Council debates $200,000 downtown tenant-improvement fund funded by economic development sales tax

Sioux City council hears budget squeeze as state tax changes push proposed levy higher