Special Meeting of the Ames City Council | March 24, 2026

The Ames City Council held a special meeting on March 24, 2026, primarily to conduct a public hearing on the proposed property tax levy for the fiscal year 2026-2027. The discussion focused on explaining the property tax statement sent to Iowa property owners, clarifying the effective tax rates, and detailing the expected increases in property valuations, particularly noting an 8% average increase for residential properties and higher increases for commercial and industrial properties. The council highlighted that the City of Ames accounts for about one-third of the total property tax levy and provided information on a property tax calculator available on the City website to help residents estimate their tax changes. No votes or motions related to the tax levy were taken during the meeting; the public hearing was opened and closed without public comment, and the council planned to address the levy as part of a future consent agenda item.