City Of Glenwood Finalizes FY27 Budget
After receiving a detailed presentation from City Administrator / Finance Director Mitch Kolf, the Glenwood City Council approved the city’s budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year at its regular meeting last Tuesday.
The budget includes a reduction in the property tax levy rate from15.4344 (per $1,000 taxable valuation) to 14.77468. Kolf noted the city’s levy is lower than several southwest cities of comparable size, including Red Oak, Clarinda, Harlan, Atlantic and Denison, as well as Council Bluffs. He added the reduction is driven by state formulas and a decrease in the city’s liability costs.
Public safety (police and fire department) continues to be a high priority for the city, accounting for 57.7% of General Fund expenditures.
The budget includes 3.5% pay raises for full-time staff with additional adjustments for police and fire protection (per union agreements), the addition of one full-time Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic position, and facility maintenance and upgrades for the fire department and police department parking lot.
Kolf stressed “revenue diversification and strategic management” in his written outline of the budget.
“We have taken proactive steps to diversify our revenue streams,” he stated. “Improved investment practices have allowed us to conservatively project $100,000 in interest revenue, a 400% increase over previous years. Additionally, following the successful November 2025 election, we are now utilizing Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds more flexibly to support General Fund operations and essential departments."
The city will experience a reduction in both revenue and expenditures in the new fiscal year, primarily because of the spending down of CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) for the Downtown Revitalization project, General Obligation bonds and the ongoing closure of the Glenwood Aquatic Center.
Kolf, who is leaving his position with the city in May, noted that while the budget is “balanced and structurally sound,” there is some uncertainty regarding the future because of potential state-level property tax reforms, the rising costs of materials and technology and increased demand on city services as development takes place on the former Glenwood Resource Center campus.
Some additional highlights of the budget include the addition of one seasonal parks and recreation employee to assist with maintaining youth soccer and baseball / softball fields and a new contract with Mills County for E-911 communications services that lowers the city’s annual payment from $186,840 with 3% increases to $170,000 annually for the next five years.
“This budget provides a roadmap for a safe, well-maintained and affordable Glenwood,” Kolf said.
The city is required to certify its 2026-2027 fiscal year budget with the state by April 30. The new fiscal year begins July 1.