Your Ames Voice

Thursday, April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Happy post-tax day!

Let’s all take a minute and appreciate the fact that taxes are filed. If any of you are like me (Amber) and waited until the 11th-hour to file your taxes, kudos but maybe start earlier so you don’t have to worry about several major deadlines falling on the same day. 😅

In today's newsletter, we have a story about the increase in your water and sewer rates this summer, including how much rates will rise and what the increases will fund.

Elsewhere, the Little Cyclones' boys soccer team defeated Fort Dodge, making their first home game of the season a win. The girls team won a home game earlier this week, too. We have photos from both games.

In Community Voices, we have a spotlight on Sarah Emery, Ames' first school teacher. She taught at the Hoggatt School, which was completed in 1862.

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

Top Story

John Dunn, the water and pollution control director for the city of Ames, is shown giving a tour of the Water Treatment Plant on July 16, 2025. | Photo: Kyle Werner

Ames water, sewer rates will increase this summer

by Amber Mohmand | News Editor | Published on April 15, 2026

Starting in July, Ames residents will see a slight increase in their water and sewer rates.

The Ames City Council on Tuesday approved a 3.5% increase in water rates while sewage service will increase by 5.5%. The increases will take place on July 1, the start of the 2026-27 fiscal year, and they’re largely driven by a nearly $65 million, state-mandated nutrient reduction project at the water pollution control plant.

Ames’ rates are below the state’s median water rates. The city is in the 15th percentile in terms of cost for the water rates, which means that 85% of the utilities in the state are charging more than Ames for drinking water, Water & Pollution Control Director John Dunn said at the meeting.

 

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City of Ames

Civic Calendar

Mon: Ames School Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Ames CSD office
Tue: Board of Supervisors (Limited Agenda), 10 a.m., Administration Building (Nevada)
Tue: Ames City Council Workshop, 6 p.m., Council Chambers at City Hall (Ames)
Wed: Zoning Board of Adjustment, 6 p.m., Council Chambers at City Hall (Ames)
Thurs: Ames Human Relations Commission, 5:30 p.m., Conference Room at City Hall (Ames)

Sports

Girls Soccer

GSOC: Little Cyclones strike late to defeat Ottumwa 3-0

by Davin Bakerink | Staff Reporter

Coming off a 4-0 win at Fort Dodge, the Ames Little Cyclones returned home to face Ottumwa, which was looking to rebound after a loss to Des Moines Roosevelt.

Boys Soccer

BSOC: Ames cruises to 5-1 win over Fort Dodge

by Davin Bakerink | Staff Reporter

Led by a hat trick from Matthias Roettger, Ames High’s boys soccer team defeated Fort Dodge 5-1 on Friday.

 

More from Sports

Community Voices

People of Ames

Ames Notables: Sarah Emery

by Ames History Museum | Contributor

Sarah Emery moved to Story County with her family around 1856 and settled in what is now Nevada. The following year she took her first teaching position.

 

More from Community Voices

In Other News