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Dallas Center‑Grimes board schedules certified‑budget hearing, approves pre‑levy resolution and awards multimillion‑dollar contracts
Summary
At a March meeting the Dallas Center‑Grimes Community School District board set an April 27 public hearing on the certified FY26‑27 budget, approved a pre‑levy resolution for the 2026 bond, and awarded contracts for fire‑alarm, HVAC controls and a $2.59 million playground project; a resident criticized the proposed levy at the public hearing.
The Dallas Center‑Grimes Community School District board set a public hearing for the certified FY26‑27 budget on April 27, 2026, approved a pre‑levy resolution tied to a general‑obligation school bond (Series 2026) and moved forward with multiple construction and playground contracts at its March meeting.
During the required public hearing on the proposed tax levy, Julie Becker of Dallas Center told the board she opposed the levy increase, saying rising property assessments already raised revenue for taxing authorities and that the district's proposed increase (she referenced a roughly 4.6–4.7% rate change) was disproportionate for residents on fixed incomes. "I am paying a lot more in school taxes this year and a lot more in city taxes," Becker said, adding that on her home (which rose from about $143,000 to nearly $154,000 in assessed value) the extra tax this year amounted to about $96 in her calculation.
After the public comment period, the board moved on to several budget and facilities items. The board approved a pre‑levy resolution for the district's proposed general obligation school bond, Series 2026, clearing a procedural step that precedes publication of the certified levy and formal bonding actions.
The board accepted low bids and awarded a series of construction contracts, all approved by voice vote:
- Central Iowa Mechanical — low bid and award for the Dallas Center Elementary and Northridge Elementary fire‑alarm improvement project, $377,430. - Woodman Electrical Contractors (controls) — award for the Dallas Center Elementary and Northridge Elementary HVAC controls improvement project, $763,959; board discussion noted variable‑frequency drives (VFDs) were shown as line‑item deductions (about $38,800 and $11,000) because the district expects to install some VFDs in‑house. - PlayPower LT Farmington — low bid and award for district playground equipment and resurfacing, $2,594,993.
Board members framed the awards as investments in safety and student access. "I just think it's really important that we spend our dollars on these safety projects," one trustee said after the fire‑alarm contract was presented; another described the playground work as large but essential so "more kids [can] access more space on our playgrounds."
On budget timing, business staff told the board the district is roughly 70% through the fiscal year with expenditures at about 60.4% and revenues at about 61.4%, and did not recommend a midyear budget amendment at this time. The board also approved the required publication of the certified budget notice in the Dallas Center County News and set the public hearing date (April 27 at 5:30 p.m.).
What happens next: the certified budget notice will be published and the April 27 hearing will allow additional public comment before final certification. Contract awards will proceed to procurement and scheduling; staff noted some project components (such as the VFD installs) may be implemented by district facilities crews to capture cost savings.
Authorities and public notices referenced at the meeting included county auditor tax notices mailed March 20 and the district's certified budget publication requirements under state law. The board also completed other routine business and moved into a closed session later in the meeting for student‑records matters.
