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Reinbeck council approves 2.8% COLA for city employees, asks library to cut FY2027 request
Summary
The Reinbeck City Council voted unanimously Jan. 5 to give city employees a 2.8% cost-of-living increase for FY2027 and directed the library board to refigure its budget request to a $135,000—140,000 range to help close a projected $170,751 shortfall.
The Reinbeck City Council voted Jan. 5 to give city employees a 2.8% cost-of-living increase for fiscal 2027 and asked department and board leaders to trim spending to narrow a budget gap.
The vote, moved by councilmember Pease and seconded by Dale Wambold, passed on a 5-0 roll call. Council discussed projected FY2027 revenues of $880,229 and department expenditure requests totaling $1,050,980, a shortfall of $170,751.
The council directed the library board to refigure its FY2027 request after noting the board's submission was $60,862 higher than its FY2025 request. Councilmember Bueghly moved, and Dale Wambold seconded, that the library revise its request using a $135,000—140,000 target and that other departments make cuts; the council asked boards to submit revised figures to the city clerk for the February meeting.
Council members also noted the Reinbeck Fire Department agreed to remove $6,000 from its medical and wellness line because physicals likely will not occur in FY2027, a change intended to reduce the shortfall.
Mayor Jamie Eiffler and the council framed the actions as steps to balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining services. Council discussed creating a merit-based pay plan for FY2028 and appointed a committee timeline for further study.
Next steps: revised budget requests are due to the city clerk before the February meeting; the council will continue budget work at that time.
