Votes at a glance: Decorah council adopts FY2026 budget, approves meter contract, tables athletic complex award and approves other measures

At a regular meeting the Decorah City Council approved several resolutions and ordinances. Listed below are the most consequential actions taken, with the available vote tallies and short context.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved by roll call (includes minutes of 04/27/2025 meeting; claims; renewal Class C retail alcohol license; Winneshiek County Fair; amended bylaws for Decorah Firefighters Association; resolutions to set public hearings on Carlson Park Gateway Veil project and water revenue loan up to $1,500,000; year‑end 2024 audit; holiday schedule; uniform reimbursement policy; archery range rules). Outcome: approved by roll call.

- Fiscal year ending 2026 budget (resolution to approve): Adopted. Roll call recorded one "No" vote (Chisel). Tally: yes 6, no 1. The proposed total levy was reported at 16.17306, down from 16.27935 the prior year.

- Water meter replacement project (plans/specs and contract): Council approved the plans/specifications and later awarded the contract to Metering and Technology Solutions, Inc., for $1,508,899.04. Engineer's estimate cited at about $1,600,000. Outcome: approved.

- Athletic Complex project (plans/specs and award): The council received a single bid from Skyline Construction Inc. for $3,107,176.28 (about 9% over the $2,850,750 estimate). The council voted to table the award to evaluate scope reductions and fundraising. Outcome: tabled.

- College Drive Bridge professional services agreement (WHKS): Approved; WHKS hired for a $51,600 lump sum for design and construction administration; 30% design milestone to clarify traffic staging options.

- Iowa Thriving Communities designation application: Council authorized applying for the IEDA (Iowa Economic Development Authority) Thriving Communities designation, which can confer bonus points for certain housing and development funding programs if a community is selected.

- Vacation/conveyance of Lot 10 Block 14 of Wheeler's Addition: Council set a public hearing for May 19 to consider vacating and conveying the platted alley to an adjacent property owner; the purchase price proposed in the request is $1 plus costs and would include--at council's discretion--a retained utility easement.

- Urban renewal / TIF ordinance (April 2025 addition to 2022 Decorah Business Park urban renewal area): Council adopted the ordinance on second reading, waived the third reading and adopted the ordinance to set the tax increment financing base for future infrastructure projects in the business park.

- Code amendments: Council approved changes to sections on "throwing and shooting" (9.58.020) to clarify permitted uses (city‑sponsored programs excepted) and voted on curfew exemptions (9.54.0.03) to align with constitutional protections and make enumerated exceptions for religious activity, political activity and other narrowly defined circumstances.

Why it matters: These votes move forward capital projects, funding mechanisms and regulation changes that shape the city's budget, infrastructure schedule, recreation projects and code enforcement. The athletic complex's higher bid and the water meter contract's single‑bid outcome were the meeting's most consequential procurement items.

For detailed coverage on major items — College Drive Bridge, water‑meter replacement, and the athletic complex — see the separate articles in this packet.