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 had seen in earlier budget materials. "When the expenses came in, that revenue was to offset those expenses from HUD," Fitch said, explaining why the accounting looked different from the budgeted amounts.

Karen Mackie, Human Rights director, told the council she and commission leadership met with councilmembers and would “make our best effort to make this work” under the amended reduction, saying the department expected to keep core staff but would rely more on student interns and other adjustments for events and nonessential lines.

Tito Parker, chair of the Human Rights Commission, urged councilmembers to involve the commission earlier in budget discussions and said the public turnout the previous weeks showed the issue’s importance. “When folks keep their word and do what they say they're gonna do, things can change for the better,” Parker said.

Public commenters voiced a range of views. Paul Koskovich said he opposed raising the levy and urged cuts elsewhere; Tisha Andree Naveen, president of the Siouxland Rental Association, urged support for public safety but said Human Rights events bring visitors and value to the city; Craig Brubaker criticized high property taxes in general. Several speakers asked the council to consider alternatives or to look more closely at departmental expenses.

During budget debate, a motion to remove one newly proposed police officer from the budget failed on a 3–2 roll call. The council also discussed library operations and an earlier proposal to end the Perry Creek branch lease at its March expiration to save roughly $35,000; councilmembers debated that option and said they would expect a plan from library staff if any closure were pursued.

Mayor Scott closed the meeting after the votes. The council also handled multiple consent items and ordinances earlier in the session, several of which passed by roll call.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to amend the proposed reduction to the Human Rights Department: amendment restored $104,520 of a $140,000 cut; amendment passed 5–0; net reduction approved $35,480 (passed 5–0). - Motion to adopt the FY2026 operating budget and five-year capital improvement program: passed 5–1. - Motion to remove one added police officer from the proposed budget: failed 3–2. - Ordinance amendments and readings on the consent agenda: several items approved by roll call earlier in the meeting (multiple unanimous votes recorded).

What the council said matters

Councilmembers who supported the amendment said they sought a compromise that would preserve full-time Human Rights staff while trimming nonessential line items for this fiscal year. Councilmembers opposed to larger restorations said the city faces broader fiscal pressures and that other departments have also absorbed reductions.

What’s next

The budget as adopted becomes the city’s spending plan for the coming fiscal year. City staff will implement the staffing and line-item changes approved by the council; the Human Rights director and commission said they will continue to adjust operations to fit the amended budget and will return if additional changes are required.