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Reinbeck council approves larger library allocation, schedules hearings and routine contracts
Summary
The Reinbeck City Council agreed to increase the library’s FY2027 budget to $165,000, creating a projected General Fund deficit; the council also approved appointments, an audit contract, a Venmo fundraising account for the Park Board, and set public hearings for the mobile food vendor ordinance and property tax levy.
At its Feb. 2 meeting the Reinbeck City Council approved a higher library budget and several routine administrative actions.
Library funding and budget: Lenah, speaking for the library board, said the previously approved $140,000 would not meet the library’s needs and requested $165,000, with proposed salary increases reduced to the city-approved 2.8% wage increase. Council members discussed revenue constraints (the General Fund is at the statutory maximum levy rate) and potential ways to address a shortfall. After discussion, Councilmember Pease moved to allow the library $165,000 and approve other board requests as presented; the motion passed on a 5-0 roll call. The minutes record the city’s FY2027 General Fund budgeted expenses at $947,230 and projected revenues of $882,699, leaving an approximate deficit of $65,000 to be covered from General Fund reserves.
Other actions and scheduling: The council approved several administrative items by unanimous votes: setting a public hearing for the proposed mobile food vendor ordinance (March 2 at 5:30 p.m., Resolution #2026-02R), setting the property tax levy hearing for April 6 at 5 p.m. and a budget amendment hearing for March 2 at 5:30 p.m., appointing Chris Bunz to the Cemetery Board and Steve Kauffman to the Memorial Building Board, accepting Darren Trunck’s resignation from the Reinbeck Community Development Board and appointing Lydia Robertson to that board, and scheduling a spring clean-up day for April 18 with an April 25 rain date.
Contracts and operational items: The council approved selecting Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. P.C. to conduct the FY2026 annual audit at a maximum proposed cost of $5,250 after the Auditor of State did not respond to the RFP. The council voted to continue contracting with Precision Lawn Care for 2026 mowing and spraying at current rates. Council authorized the Park Board to open a Venmo account through Lincoln Savings Bank for pickleball-court fundraising, with the account held separately and funds transferred into the city’s Gift & Trust Fund. The council also initiated the process to amend municipal code to add a 20-minute parking sign at 423 Main Street and to increase snow violation parking fines (proposal to increase fines to $50 and late penalty to $10).
Homeowner sewer backup request: Randy and Michelle Thompson asked for reimbursement for basement damage from a sewer backup. Council members explained that private homeowners are responsible for their service connections; because the Thompsons have a deep basement they were advised to install a pump or private lift station and retap to the main from the top. The city will have CIT re-inspect the city line Wednesday to assess whether slip-lining could improve main-line drainage.
Why it matters: The library budget decision increases the city’s planned General Fund deficit and will require use of reserves or other revenue measures; the audit contract, vendor contracts and code-amendment processes reflect routine city governance. The Thompson request underscores ongoing sewer infrastructure concerns residents may face.
Next steps: The council scheduled hearings (mobile food vendor and budget amendment) and directed administrative follow-up on code amendments, contract implementation and the CIT inspection of the sewer line.
