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Ottumwa council adopts FY26 budget, approves turf specialist but rejects two other proposed positions
Summary
Council adopted the FY26 city budget that raises the consolidated levy by about 19 cents and leaves a $468,483 general‑fund shortfall with the approved positions; council approved one of three proposed new positions (turf specialist) and rejected the fire administrative specialist and facilities manager.
The Ottumwa City Council adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget on a recorded vote Tuesday and approved one of three staffing requests after public hearings and separate roll‑call votes.
Finance Director Mr. O'Donnell presented the FY26 spending plan and said the city’s total budget is about $84.8 million, with an operating budget of roughly $45.4 million. He told the council the consolidated general‑fund levy will increase by about 19 cents per $1,000 of valuation after adjustments under House File 718; overall revenue growth in the plan was described as modest.
The council held three separate votes on proposed positions that staff asked to include in the adopted budget. A motion to add an administrative specialist in the fire department (direct salary listed at $44,644.57) failed on a roll call with all five council members voting no. The council approved a senior maintenance/turf specialist (direct salary item presented in the packet) on a 4–1 vote; council members who supported the hire said the position is needed to preserve and maintain newly installed turf fields and that Legacy representatives had offered transition support. A motion to add a dedicated facilities maintenance manager (direct salary $63,767.52) also failed.
Mr. O'Donnell said that, after the council’s decisions on positions, the projected general‑fund shortfall stands at $468,483. He also pledged to provide quarterly budget updates so the council and public can monitor revenues and expenditures during the fiscal year.
Public comment during the budget hearing included requests to increase traffic enforcement to raise revenue and a question about the city’s vacancy rate; staff said there are 12 vacant positions among roughly 191 full‑time equivalent employees.
The council’s approval of the budget (Resolution No. 60, 2025) completes the legal step needed to publish and implement the FY26 appropriation; staff said some line‑item and staffing details may be adjusted later via a budget amendment if necessary.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution No. 60 (Adopt FY26 budget): Adopted (roll call recorded). - Administrative specialist (fire) — motion to include in budget: Failed (roll call, all five council members opposed). - Senior maintenance/turf specialist — motion to include in budget: Passed (4–1). - Facilities maintenance manager — motion to include in budget: Failed (roll call, all five opposed).
What happens next: Staff will post the final budget documents on the city website and produce the quarterly budget updates requested by council.
