Waterloo council adopts FY2026 budget; published levy rate limits changes after public comment

The Waterloo City Council adopted the FY2026 budget with a total property tax asking of $53,630,715 and reaffirmed that state rules prevent the council from exceeding the levy rate that was published in the budget notice. Council members debated whether to publish a "not to exceed" maximum in future notices to allow downward adjustments.