Le Mars council publishes proposed FY2025-26 budget, sets April 15 public hearing

The Le Mars City Council voted to publish the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and set a public hearing for 12 p.m. on April 15, 2025.

A motion recorded in the meeting stated: "Motion to publish the proposed 20 20 fivetwenty 26 annual budget with a levy rate of 11.8705 and established in 04/15/2025 at 12PM as the date and time for a public hearing regarding adoption of the fiscal year 20 five-twenty 6 budget." The motion was moved and seconded; the meeting minutes record the council voice vote as "Aye" and "Opposed? Motion carried."

The action republishes the proposed budget and schedules the statutory public hearing; council members were directed to review the budget and return with any changes at the public hearing. Staff told the council that the proposed budget contains a carryforward surplus and includes the fire department wage increase approved earlier in the meeting. No roll-call vote or individual tallies were recorded in the transcript; the motion was carried by voice vote.

Because the published document establishes the published levy rate and hearing date, the council can amend spending lines at the public hearing or later by budget amendment. Councilmembers were reminded that items omitted from the budget would require an amendment to add later.