Indianola council adopts FY27 budget after cuts; seven full-time positions eliminated

The Indianola City Council voted unanimously April 20 to adopt the city's fiscal year 2027 budget after a public hearing and extended discussion of staffing and reserves.

The adopted budget reduces general fund spending by about $85,600 from the previous estimate, a change staff said is largely tied to insurance-renewal guidance. Council also approved a package of programmatic cuts that staff said will eliminate seven full-time positions: police clerical staff reduced from six to three, one police officer position left unfilled, one communications staff position removed, and two culture-and-recreation staff positions eliminated. Staff presented the eliminations as part of a multi-step effort to balance the budget and minimize reserve use.

Why it matters: city leaders said the budget brings a projected general-fund use of reserves down sharply from prior years and preserves a balanced operating plan while aligning spending with current revenue projections. Jake, who led the presentation, said the plan reduces projected reserves use to roughly $22,000 and keeps the general fund near policy targets while funding a limited set of one-time items and ongoing obligations.

Council members and the public pressed for more transparency during the hearing. Resident Jamie Hansen urged clearer, line-item disclosures for COLA and step increases and earlier scheduling of budget hearings so working residents can attend. Another speaker raised concerns about surveillance-camera spending and privacy; police and legal staff described review procedures and noted that policy discussion would be addressed separately from the budget hearing.

Details and next steps: staff highlighted several FY27 priorities that remain in the plan, including a transition of economic-development payments to hotel/motel tax, a $25,000 two-year replacement cycle for police mobile data units (first-year funding included), continued investment in stormwater and sewer engineering, and planned borrowing for certain vehicle and capital replacements. Staff also said they would return with details if the council pursued borrowing steps, and that several capital items were held out of the general fund presentation to limit ongoing obligations.

The council closed the public hearing and approved the budget by roll-call vote; the motion carried 6-0. Staff said they will monitor year-end receipts and return with any technical amendments if needed.

Ending: The city manager said staff will continue refining presentation materials and increase the level of public detail in future budget cycles. The council signaled support for continuing policy work to align services with revenue and for additional public outreach prior to major budget votes.