Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Branch council approves FY2026 budget amendment, increases for police, library and water
Summary
On May 4, 2026, the West Branch City Council approved a FY2026 budget amendment that reallocates funds for police body camera replacement and self-insurance, library digitization and collections, $125,000 bonding to debt service, and a $70,000 increase to the water fund for meters and main repairs.
The West Branch City Council approved Resolution 2026-40 on May 4, 2026, adopting a fiscal-year 2026 budget amendment that shifts funds to several departments and funds.
The amendment increases police funding to cover body camera replacement and higher self-insurance costs; it adds $7,000 to Clerk & Treasurer self-insurance; it provides more library funding for collections and to digitize the West Branch Times; it moves $125,000 via bonding into debt service; and it increases the water fund budget by $70,000 to pay for water meters and main repairs. Council Member Colton Miller moved approval; Tom Dean seconded. The vote was 5-0.
Council and staff did not record extended public comment during the hearing on the budget amendment. The resolution directs staff to implement the changes and reflect them in year-end accounting and reporting.
Why it matters: the amendment adjusts resources for capital and operating needs — notably public-safety equipment and water-system repairs — that the city says are needed before fiscal year end. The $125,000 bond transfer will alter the debt-service schedule; finance staff will report on implementation in future financial statements.
Next steps: staff will update accounting records and include the amendments in fiscal-year closing documents; any bond issuance or capital procurement related to the water work will follow procurement rules and, where required, formal contract approvals.
