Reinbeck council approves larger library budget, leaving General Fund gap

The Reinbeck City Council agreed Feb. 2 to increase the library's FY2027 budget request to $165,000 after the library board reported the previously approved $140,000 would not cover anticipated expenses.

Lenah Oltman, speaking for the library board, told the council that construction and budget pressures made the earlier $140,000 figure insufficient. The board offered to reduce proposed salary increases to the city-approved 2.8% level in order to limit the additional request.

After discussion about balancing the municipal budget, Councilmember Pease moved to approve the library's request for $165,000 and to approve the other board requests as presented; Councilmember Johnson seconded. A roll call vote recorded Wambold, Pease, Johnson, Trepp and Bueghly voting aye.

The minutes show the city's General Fund budgeted expenses for FY2027 at $947,230 and projected revenues at $882,699, leaving an approximate $65,000 deficit that the city expects to take from General Fund reserves. Council members discussed options to raise additional revenue as part of an in-progress Capital Improvement Plan, but noted the General Fund has reached the maximum allowed levy rate and cannot request additional revenue through the levy.

What happens next: the council set a Budget Amendment Hearing for March 2, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. to consider related adjustments. The library construction is scheduled to begin Feb. 9; the library will use the Blackhawk Street entrance while Clark Street access is closed and will provide curbside pickup and local deliveries for patrons who cannot use that entrance.

The council recorded no dissenting votes on the library funding increase.