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Waukee council adopts fiscal 2027 budget and five-year CIP, approves related debt plan and amendments
Summary
The Waukee City Council approved the FY2027 budget, a five-year capital improvement program (2027–2031), a debt reimbursement resolution and a FY2026 budget amendment after staff presentations that emphasized public-safety staffing, infrastructure projects and a modest fund-balance draw.
The Waukee City Council on April 20 approved the city's fiscal 2027 budget, the five-year capital improvement program and a reimbursement resolution to allow the city to issue debt to reimburse prior project expenditures.
Staff recommended the package after a public hearing and presentation by Rachel (city finance staff), who said the recommended levy for fiscal 2027 remains $12.80. "The recommendation that we leave the levy for fiscal 27 at $12.80," Rachel said during the hearing. Rachel told the council the city estimates $29,790,000 in general fund revenues and just over $30,000,000 in expenditures for FY2027, planning a fund-balance spend-down of just under $300,000.
Why it matters: the budget funds additions to public safety and capital projects. Rachel outlined planned staffing increases, and budget slides showed public safety and culture/recreation account for roughly 81% of the general fund program budget. In discussion the council had no substantive changes to the proposal and staff recommended approval.
The council also approved the five-year capital improvement program after a presentation by Tracy Lobtinski, the budget and finance analyst, who highlighted parks and trail projects (including a $5 million Springcrest park and a $3 million Little Walnut Creek Greenway segment), major roads work and utility projects. "Some of the highlights of [the CIP] are we are doing a new park in the Springcrest area for 5,000,000 and then in the Stone Prairie area for 3,000,000," Tracy said. Tracy also noted $218,000,000 projected for roads projects across the five-year window and specific large projects such as a University Avenue area improvement at $62,600,000.
In related business the council approved a reimbursement resolution under treasury regulations that will allow the city to reimburse itself for expenditures on specified CIP projects once bonds are issued. Staff said the resolution updates project lists annually so the city may reimburse pre-bond expenses.
The council also approved a FY2026 budget amendment presented by Tracy that reflects a $795,000 increase in general fund revenues (including an unexpected $250,000 increase in ambulance revenue) and anticipated changes in other funds driven by TIF valuation adjustments. Tracy described the changes in revenues and expenditures and highlighted a one-time purchase of 825 Ashworth that increased general governmental expenditures.
The meeting concluded with the council voting to adopt the budget, approve the CIP and pass the related resolutions. The council recorded affirmative roll-call responses from the members present; one council member on Zoom was intermittently unresponsive during parts of the meeting.
