City Council Work Session Discusses FY27 Budget Priorities

You'll want to remember this moment. Help us record what's happening in Decorah. DECORAH — The Decorah City Council kicked off its fiscal year 2027 budget discussions during a recent work session, reviewing proposed departmental budgets and flagging major capital projects, with particular attention to public safety, parks planning and sustainability spending. City Manager Travis Goedken said the session was part of an ongoing budget process, with multiple checkpoints ahead of final adoption. Council members repeatedly returned to questions of long-term planning, operational costs and maintaining a stable property tax levy. Public Safety Public safety capital needs again featured prominently. The city has designated $525,000 in FY27 debt proceeds for a new fire truck, already ordered and expected to be delivered during the fiscal year. Goedken noted there were no major changes in the fire department's operating budget. The police department's capital plan includes replacing a squad car, with discussion about whether the replacement could be an electric vehicle. "It ultimately comes down to whether the city wants a pursuit-rated SUV," Goedken said. "Most hybrid models, including the one used for K-9, are not pursuit-rated, and the pursuit-rated options available from Ford are significantly more expensive. The proposed budget does include a citywide sustainability fund that departments can use to cover the additional cost of electrification." "As the city works toward its sustainability goals, we will eventually need to electrify police vehicles," Council member Emily Neal said. "I think it's worth exploring the cost difference and potential savings in emissions and fuel." Council member Johanna Bergan agreed. "I appreciate sustainability being prioritized, and I'd like to see those considerations built into all departmental budgets, not just a standalone fund." Decorah Police Chief Tricia Thien said the hybrid vehicles the department currently uses have performed well, but added, "The question is whether the quoted models include that option. We can research that and report back with more information." The current proposal includes $63,000 to cover the full cost of a K-9 vehicle replacement, including equipment installation, decals and incidental costs. Goedken noted the department may be able to sell an existing K-9 vehicle to another agency for an estimated $20,000, though that potential revenue is not included in the proposed budget. Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation generated the most discussion, particularly how individual projects fit into a broader vision for Decorah's 664 acres of parkland. "We've budgeted $25,000 for the parks land acquisition fund to support potential purchases or easements, including a parcel near Van Peenen Park and the Eastside Auto Body lot by Wold Park," Goedken said. "We're also looking at consolidating small funds like this to make future capital planning easier." Neal and Mayor Andy Carlson agreed that "our parks are one of our greatest assets." The proposed budget includes $125,000 for a citywide parks master plan, $20,000 for campground electrical upgrades, $40,000 for a plow truck replacement and $450,000 for resurfacing Trout Run Trail. Council members also revisited user fees, noting that campground rates were increased two years ago but occupancy remains strong. A $40,000 allocation for splash pad design services, funded by a private donor, sparked extended discussion. Some council members expressed concern with moving forward on design work before completing the parks master plan. Carlson and Bergan cited the popularity of splash pads with families, while Council member Steve Zittergruen said, "When my kids were young, we would have loved one, but we also have to be realistic about what Decorah can do." "Even if fundraising covers the build, there will be ongoing costs of staff time, maintenance, electricity, parking. I think questions like this are best answered as part of [a] bigger process." "I think we should move forward with a splash pad, but we need a comprehensive plan to guide the design and determine the space needed," Neal said. "If we keep the skate park, for example, that reduces available space, so we need to make decisions about the site while considering community land use overall." Goedken said the donor is willing to wait and is flexible on timing. The council agreed to leave the $40,000 allocation in the proposed budget while deferring decisions until after the master plan is completed. Airport and Sustainability The council also reviewed the airport budget. The terminal and attached hangar project, funded by three years of grant money, is expected to wrap up by April. No new capital projects are planned for FY27. The airport budget includes about $200,000 in electric franchise fee revenue and $212,000 in expenditures. The proposed FY27 sustainability budget totals approximately $167,000, largely supported by electric franchise fee revenues. Council members asked how sustainability projects are approved and monitored. Zittergruen said, "Maybe projects under $10,000 could be considered approved through the regular budget process, but we'd still like a final look at anything exceeding that amount." "I don't think we need another layer of approval beyond the $10,000 threshold," Bergan said. "Larger projects should come back to council, but smaller projects can move forward through the commission's normal process," Adding, "it makes sense for council to be gradually involved while still allowing the commission to manage day-to-day spending." "Including the sustainability commission's allocated funds in the budget makes their priorities clearer," Neal said. "It helps council understand where the money is going and ensures accountability." Goedken clarified the commission is not required to spend its full allocation each year; the proposed budget reflects priorities rather than a mandate to exhaust available funds. Council members generally agreed on the importance of maintaining transparency and aligning sustainability investments with broader city goals. Next Steps Goedken reminded the council that budget decisions will continue through upcoming work sessions and public hearings, with opportunities for individual meetings and adjustments before final adoption. Public hearings are anticipated in April, with a budget adoption deadline of April 30. Stay connected and informed! Join the free newsletter for curated news, trending topics, and insider perspectives you won't find anywhere else.