Your Ames Voice

Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

February 05, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Happy Thursday!

We’re on Instagram and Facebook! If you missed it, we’re starting to post on our social media — which is a long time coming. Make sure to follow us as we start to post more on our accounts.

In today’s newsletter, we have an overview of the city’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget involves potential increases in utility rates and decreases in property tax rates. We also explain how city services account for the lion’s share of the budget.

Also, we have the recap of the Cyclone basketball games — which includes the women’s win over Central Florida and the men’s victory against Colorado.

Finally, we have named our Tuesday calendar of events newsletter “Ames, Set, Go!” Thanks to the several of you who sent us suggestions.

Thank you for your continued support,

Co-Editors: Anthony Capps & Amber Mohmand
[email protected]

Top Story

The council was presented with a proposed $361.6 million budget recommended by City Manager Steve Schainker at a budget hearing held Jan. 30. | Photo by Amber Mohmand

Proposed Ames budget seeks to up spending, lower tax rate

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter | Published on Feb. 3 , 2026

How do you budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year increasing overall spending while keeping the city’s property tax rate slightly lower and holding most staffing levels steady? That’s the goal of the Ames City Council.

The council was presented with a proposed $361.6 million budget recommended by City Manager Steve Schainker at a budget hearing held Jan. 30. The proposed budget was outlined by Schainker and members of the city’s finance department. The budget outlines how the city would fund daily services, major construction projects and long-term investments if the council approves it later this spring. The budget would take effect July 1. The council’s budget process is limited by new state legislation.

“The budget integrates council values, goals and priorities with the results of the annual resident satisfaction survey, wherein our community members indicate where they want tax dollars to be spent or invested in Ames,” Ames Mayor John Haila said.

 

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City of Ames

City Council

Ames City Council reviewing higher fees

by Bill Monroe | Staff Reporter

Ames residents could pay more in utilities in the upcoming fiscal year, including a proposed 1.5% increase in electricity and 5.5% increase in sanitary sewer rates.

 

More from City of Ames

Sports

Women’s Basketball

Jackson’s triples power Cyclones win over Knights

by Jared Larson | Staff Reporter

Three Cyclones scored in double figures as Iowa State women’s basketball topped the University of Central Florida, 65-52, Saturday afternoon in a Big 12 contest at Hilton Coliseum.

 

More from Sports

In Other News

Ames Tribune: What we learned from World Food Prize's visit to Ames for GW Carver Day
City of Ames: Sustainability Grants Awarded to Four Ames Organizations
Cyclone Athletics: Post Malone, Jelly Roll To Play Jack Trice Stadium