Urbandale council adopts 2025–26 operating budget as debt service levy falls

The Urbandale City Council on April 15 adopted the fiscal 202526 2026 operating budget after a public hearing and a series of related motions and resolutions.

Finance Director Nikki Lam told the council the operating budget "had a decrease of, about 2 and a half percent." Lam said the city plans to retire about $18 million in debt in 2026 (including more than $5 million tied to TIF) and that use of local option sales tax (LOST) and other revenues has reduced the city's debt service levy to $1.44, its lowest level in recent memory.

The budget package approved by the council keeps most service levies stable while shifting some consolidated general levy authority among available levies. Lam said the city's certified budget includes all enterprise funds and capital items; the full package totals about $183 million and reflects the inclusion of the water utility in the certified total. She also told the council there are four new budgeted positions for the coming year: a school resource officer at the middle school, a crisis intervention team mental-health professional, a…