Seeing a drop in property tax income, Oelwien will now face the inevitable as they head into budget season. According to City Administrator Dylan Mulfinger, the city is on pace to lose money every year as the state further restricts commercial and industrial rollbacks.
A 6:30 p.m. work session will see what can be done in fiscal year 2026 as money is moved around for unexpected expenses and planned ones. If approved, these items will be taken into account next year: the city will not fill an additional officer roll for $48,000, but will increase a franchise transfer to $15,000; the fire department will have an equipment budget cut of $20,000; and the fees for the cemetery (raised fees $45,000), campground, park, and pool will be increased as well.
“Over the next three months, department heads will present options on reducing the budget in a three-year plan, which will meet or exceed the required cuts,†the letter states. “Departments can recommend new revenue streams in conjunction with cuts. Should a department fail to participate, the City Administrator will make the cuts for them.â€
Two council members, Dave Lenz and Lynda Payne voted at a prior meeting on Dec. 23 against the increase in cemetery fees, therefore failing the vote. The fee amendment will be on the regular agenda once more for passing, but with another increase on grave openings and cremation openings ranging from $50-$200. Mulfinger stated that some council members discussed that the change was not enough to warrant an increase, so four areas saw the additional hike.
Library Director Susan Macken will present the library budget, which saw significant hits with window leaks, roof repairs and HVAC issues. The library will be increasing their annual budget to $351,236 in FY26, up almost $12K from FY25.
Cuts will be seen in transportation, janitorial and paper supply, parking lot, and computers, as well as not hiring a part-time librarian. Increases include a new cleaning company contract of $17,400, up from $14,560, and in communication. The library is asking to replace older computers and continue their work on window, roof, HVAC and masonry repairs.
Building Official David Kral will present on the Community Development Department’s budget, in which the biggest expenses are in salaries, legal fees and contracts. Kral is asking for an increase in budget by $7,250 to accommodate salaries, vehicle expenses and cellular/paging devices. He noted that with the implementation of GovBuilt software, the department has seen efficiency in tracking building permits, rental registration licenses and code enforcement cases.
The regular meeting at 6 p.m. will see a resolution approving a 2025 Housing Tax Abatement application for the property owned by Tiki Properties at 102 South Frederick Ave., better known as the Mealey Apartments.
In conjunction with the 5:30 p.m. Planning, Finance, Enterprise and Economic Development Committee meeting, a demolition assistance application for the property at 220 6th Ave. SW in the amount of $3,750 to Robert Reiter will be discussed. Reiter plans on building an adjacent garage after tearing down the house. According to Kral, the property “is not an imminent danger†and was a rental at one time.
The council will also provide direction to PFEED on a hotel/motel request of $1,500 for the Williams Center for the Arts show “Bach to Rock, TAKE3.â€
