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Hawarden previews FY27 budget, council signals move to restore larger chamber support
Summary
At a Feb. 25 budget workshop, Hawarden staff presented a FY27 general fund plan showing a proposed levy near 13.02 (down from about 14.41). Council members expressed support to increase chamber funding back toward $30,000–$35,000 and asked staff to finalize levy and line-item updates for state submission.
The Hawarden City Council on Feb. 25 reviewed a draft FY27 general fund budget that staff said would allow a reduced levy and room for modest increases in community funding. Staff told the council the proposed levy rate is about 13.02, down from roughly 14.41 last year, and that budgeted revenues currently slightly exceed expenditures.
"We are currently sitting at 13.02, which is down from last year," said Staff member Travis Waterman, presenting revenue and levy figures. He told the council the draft budget shows a small cushion (he described keeping at least $50,000 for emergencies) and noted a $13,680 aggregate increase across utility funds tied to salary and benefits.
The council spent substantial time on economic development and external partners' support, centering on a request from the local chamber of commerce. The chamber has asked the city to restore its contribution to the historical $30,000 level; the council discussed going further. "I think they're doing great things," one council member said, and others signaled support; several members suggested increasing the chamber contribution into the $30,000–$35,000 range. Staff said raising the chamber contribution by $8,500 would not strain the general fund and that changes can be incorporated into the next draft for formal action.
Council members and staff also reviewed individual general fund lines — police, fire, ambulance, streets, library and recreation — and confirmed anticipated enterprise fund salary increases will be distributed across utility budgets. Staff said remaining steps include final engineering of line items and submitting final figures on the state budget form.
The council gave direction to staff to update the documents, return a revised packet, and proceed with the formal budget adoption schedule required by state rules. The next steps are staff finalizing the levy and updated worksheets for the next council meeting.
