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Reinbeck council directs budget cuts to close $170,751 FY2027 shortfall; approves 2.8% COLA
Summary
City leaders identified a $170,751 shortfall for FY2027, directed the library and departments to revise spending requests, and approved a 2.8% cost-of-living increase for city employees; all votes were unanimous.
The Reinbeck City Council on Jan. 5 identified a projected FY2027 budget shortfall of $170,751 and voted unanimously to require revised department budgets and to grant city employees a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment for the coming fiscal year.
The council heard that projected revenues for FY2027 are $880,229 while department and board expenditure requests total $1,050,980, leaving a $170,751 gap. Council member Bueghly moved that the library refigure its budget request using a target range of $135,000–$140,000 — roughly $60,862 less than the library’s current request — and that other departments reduce their requests and submit revised figures to the city clerk for the February meeting; the motion passed on a roll-call vote (Wambold, Pease, Johnson, Trepp and Bueghly — all aye).
Council noted a few specific adjustments already proposed: the Reinbeck Fire Department agreed to cut $6,000 from its medical and wellness line (the department indicated physicals are unlikely in FY2027). The council directed boards and department heads to return revised budgets at the February meeting for further action.
On compensation, Council member Pease moved to approve a 2.8% cost-of-living allowance for city employees for FY2027 and tasked the council with developing a merit-based pay plan for FY2028; the motion was seconded by Wambold and passed by unanimous roll call. The wage report for 2026 was also approved for publication in The Grundy Register as part of routine transparency steps.
The council’s immediate next step is to receive revised budget submissions in February before finalizing the FY2027 budget and any associated tax rate or levy decisions.
