Sac City Council approves budget-hearing date, hazard-mitigation match and hotel-motel tax draft; refers mobility and dog-park rules to committees

The Sac City Council met June 9 in the Council Chambers and unanimously approved a package of procedural items and several resolutions, then referred two regulatory topics to committee before adjourning at 6:36 p.m.

Teresa Bruening moved and Tom Lownik seconded approval of the consent agenda, which included approval of the agenda, minutes of the May 22 special meeting and May 26 regular meeting, renewal of Casey’s Marketing Company dba Casey’s #1331 Class E retail alcohol license, and a five-day outdoor special-event alcohol license for Top of Iowa Lucky Wife LLC (Lucky Wife Wine Slushies) beginning July 2, 2026. The council later approved vendor claims and payments as presented, with the meeting records showing total claims of $127,780.54 and total disbursements including auto-deductions and loan/benefit payments of $172,848.51.

The council approved Resolution No. 2026-31, moved by Bob Murley and seconded by Larry Mahler, to set a public hearing on a proposed budget amendment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The roll call vote on the resolution was Shull, Bruening, Lownik, Mahler and Murley in favor; no votes against.

Council approved Resolution No. 2026-32, introduced by Tom Lownik and moved by Teresa Bruening (second Bob Murley), authorizing a local match for the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program. The motion carried by unanimous roll call.

On a separate item, the council approved a draft resolution establishing policy options for use of local hotel and motel tax revenues and asked staff to prepare a final election resolution. The draft directs that recreation and tourism be the primary priority for approximately 75% of the revenue. The motion to approve the draft was made by Tom Lownik and seconded by Teresa Bruening and passed unanimously.

The council referred proposed regulations governing bicycles and electric mobility devices to the police committee for further review. A separate referral sent the discussion of regulations for operation and use of the city dog park to the Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources committee.

During public comment, Darcy Hoffard addressed the council about a cemetery matter. The council also accepted Hannah Lewis’s resignation from the Sac City Arts Council on a motion by Teresa Bruening, seconded by Larry Mahler; the vote was recorded with Murley absent.

Tom Lownik moved and Teresa Bruening seconded that the council enter a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) to consider a personnel matter requested by Jamie Lawrence; the council voted 4-0 to enter closed session with Councilmember Bob Murley recorded absent for that vote. The council reconvened and took no formal motion following the closed session.

The meeting concluded with a council forum and a motion to adjourn by Tom Lownik, seconded by Larry Mahler; the meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (approvals including licenses and claims): motion by Teresa Bruening, second Tom Lownik; roll call Ayes: Lownik, Mahler, Murley, Shull, Bruening; Nays: None. - Resolution No. 2026-31 (set public hearing for budget amendment): mover Bob Murley; second Larry Mahler; roll call Ayes: Shull, Bruening, Lownik, Mahler, Murley; Nays: None. - Resolution No. 2026-32 (authorize local match for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program): mover Teresa Bruening; second Bob Murley; roll call Ayes: Lownik, Mahler, Murley, Shull, Bruening; Nays: None. - Draft resolution (hotel/motel tax policy options; ~75% recreation/tourism priority): mover Tom Lownik; second Teresa Bruening; roll call Ayes: Mahler, Murley, Shull, Bruening, Lownik; Nays: None. (Draft approval; not final adoption.) - Referral: Bicycle and electric mobility device regulations to police committee; motion passed 5-0. - Referral: Dog park regulations to PRNR committee; motion passed (Murley absent for vote indicated). - Acceptance of resignation: Hannah Lewis, Sac City Arts Council; motion passed (Murley absent). - Closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) for personnel matter requested by Jamie Lawrence: motion passed 4-0 (Murley absent); no formal action taken after reconvening.

Key details and context - Total claims presented: $127,780.54; total disbursements including auto-deductions and loan/benefit payments: $172,848.51. Major items included a pool heater from Carroll Control Systems for $43,950.00 and a well 2 pump motor from Sargent Drilling for $11,224.00. - The hotel/motel tax draft directs that roughly three-quarters of local receipts target recreation and tourism, and staff were asked to return with a final election resolution. - The closed-session authority cited was Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i), which authorizes the council to consider personnel matters in closed session when properly moved and recorded.

What’s next - A public hearing will be scheduled on the proposed budget amendment per Resolution No. 2026-31; the date and notice will be posted in accordance with city procedures. Committee referrals (mobility devices to police; dog-park rules to PRNR) will be considered at future committee meetings per council direction.