Sioux City Council adopts FY2026 budget, restores most of Human Rights funding after amendment

Sioux City Council on Monday approved the city’s fiscal year 2026 operating budget and five-year capital improvement program and, after public comment and council discussion, approved a reduced cut to the Human Rights Department budget.

The council’s final budget vote was 5–1 in favor of adopting the FY2026 budget and CIP. Separately, the council reconsidered a proposed $140,000 reduction to the Human Rights Department and adopted an amendment that restored $104,520 of that cut, resulting in a net reduction of $35,480; the amendment and the resulting motion passed on roll call 5–0.

The amendment’s sponsor described a line-by-line review of the Human Rights Department budget with department leadership and the Human Rights Commission, and said the restored funding directed some HUD-funded project dollars toward staff positions so the city would not have to increase the property-tax levy to preserve full-time staff. Finance Director Teresa Fitch said HUD revenue and expense timing had caused the apparent shortfall the council…