Councilors lay out budget priorities: crisis response, childcare supports, winter shelter and facilities planning among items

Iowa City councilors used the Sept. 16 work session to flag a range of budget priorities for fiscal year 2027, asking staff to consider several program and capital items during the budget build. Key proposals raised by councilors included: - Crisis response at 9‑1‑1: One councilor asked the city to explore adding a crisis counselor or social‑work position to the 9‑1‑1 floor to triage behavioral‑health and social‑service calls and reduce sworn response where appropriate. - Childcare supports: Councilors asked staff to continue the wage enhancement program for childcare and to investigate a small seed fund (roughly $20,000–$25,000 suggested) to support apprenticeship or workforce efforts with local partners such as the Child Care Coalition. - Winter shelter expansion: Several councilors suggested pursuing a year‑round shelter pilot for at least two years, in close coordination with Johnson County and Shelter House, while work continues on permanent supportive housing solutions. - Facilities and river studies: Councilors reiterated interest in a municipal‑wide facilities assessment (an update to a 2010 study was suggested) and asked whether a planned Iowa River study is already funded or scheduled; staff said those strategic plan items remain priorities and timing will be reflected in the budget process. - Other ideas: One councilor suggested exploring a wildlife‑rehabilitation capacity tied to the animal shelter to provide a more coordinated local resource for injured wildlife; others suggested another strategic‑plan refresh and continued work on land‑use/housing goals. Staff guidance and next steps: City staff asked councils to submit major budget changes promptly because the FY27 budget is under active development; staff said the current approach is to build the base budget assuming a local option sales tax does not pass and then adjust if revenue changes. Staff also said substantive new proposals or priorities will be considered in upcoming budget work sessions and the CIP process. Why this matters: Several items raised are operational (positions and pilot programs) rather than conceptual; some would require new or reallocated ongoing funds and external partnerships (county, Shelter House, childcare providers). Councilors asked staff to return with budget estimates and memos where appropriate. Next steps: Staff will incorporate council input into budget development and return with memos, cost estimates and potential funding scenarios in the run‑up to the FY27 budget hearings.