It's time to budget. Here's what Ames is considering as it looks toward the new fiscal year

Ames City Council holds budget meetings with department heads last week to discuss current and future services.

The city manager’s recommended budget for the city of Ames is just over $300 million for expenditures in 2024-2025 .

Electric and water rates will not increase, while property taxes will decrease by 11 cents .

Ames City Manager Steve Schainker feels the proposed budget is reasonable.

All five projects may require a public referendum and debt financing that will likely impact property taxes.

For a first -priority project, Schainker recommended starting with an inadequate existing building.

He also recommended relocating Fire Station # 2 from Welsch Avenue .

If he had to choose which project would come last, he leaned towards adding a fourth fire station.