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Ames Conference Board approves assessor budget and directs 30–35% ending fund balance
Summary
The Ames Conference Board held a public hearing on the Ames City Assessor's proposed budget for fiscal year 2025'26, approved the budget and directed the assessor to use a 30'to'35% target minimum ending fund balance as guidance rather than a hard cap.
Ames Conference Board members approved the Ames City Assessor's proposed budget for fiscal year 2025'26 after a public hearing and directed the assessor to use a 30'to'35% minimum ending fund-balance target.
The public hearing on the assessor's proposed budget was opened by the conference board and closed with no public testimony. The board then took a motion to approve the budget, which was moved by the City Council representative and seconded by the Board of Supervisors representative; the three voting entities recorded aye votes and the budget was adopted.
Why it matters: The board also debated whether to adopt a formal policy or provide nonbinding guidance about how large a reserve the assessor should carry year to year. The assessor serves a single-budget office whose tax collections lag the start of the fiscal year by several months; a reserve cushions the office through the first three to four months of operations before tax receipts arrive.
Assessor Sherry told the board the office's current carryover is near the proposed range: "It's about 35% right now," she said. Board members described two options: a formal ordinance or policy that would require a minimum balance, or a less binding directive that would provide guidance without immediate enforcement. Supporters said a written policy would provide clarity and protect office continuity; opponents warned a rigid rule could have unintended consequences in an emergency.
After discussion, the Conference Board voted to direct the assessor to use a 30'to'35% ending fund-balance as guidance (not an absolute cap). The vote on that guidance was recorded as: City Council, aye; Board of Supervisors, no; Ames Community School District, aye (tally: yes 2, no 1). Minutes show board members intend to treat the amount as a minimum target for the budget'year ending fund balance and agreed the board can revisit the figure if exceptional circumstances arise.
What happens next: The assessor will adopt the budget as approved and will prepare future budgets consistent with the 30'to'35% ending balance guidance. The Conference Board emphasized the guidance is intended to provide continuity for the assessor's single-budget office through the months before property-tax receipts arrive.
Votes at a glance: Proposed assessor budget for FYE 2026 ' Approved (motion moved by City Council; second by Board of Supervisors; vote: three ayes). Guidance on minimum ending fund balance (30'35%) ' Adopted as guidance (City Council aye; Board of Supervisors no; Ames Community School District aye).
