Spencer City Council Budget Committee Completes Review

Committee examines departmental budgets, capital projects, and tax revenue disbursement.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Spencer City Council Budget Committee has completed a detailed review of the city's departmental budgets, capital improvement plans, and the allocation of lodging and sales tax revenue. The committee made several adjustments, including eliminating two staff positions and scaling back vehicle maintenance, in an effort to operate more efficiently.

Why it matters

As a Midwestern city, Spencer relies heavily on property tax revenue to fund most municipal services. The budget review process is critical to ensuring the city can continue providing essential services while managing costs and exploring ways to generate additional revenue.

The details

The Police Department budget, for example, exceeds $2.4 million but only generates $94,000 in revenue. The Municipal Golf Course is the lone city department that turns a profit, estimated at around $25,000 this year. To cut costs, the committee decided to eliminate two staff positions and reduce vehicle maintenance spending.

  • The Budget Committee completed its review in February 2026.
  • The full City Council is expected to approve the final spending plan on February 23, 2026.
  • The new budget will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

The players

Spencer City Council Budget Committee

The committee responsible for conducting a detailed review of the city's departmental budgets, capital projects, and tax revenue disbursement.

Kevin Robinson

The Spencer City Manager who oversaw the budget review process and proposed cost-saving measures.

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What they’re saying

“Most services are personnel-heavy and rely on property tax proceeds.”

— Kevin Robinson, City Manager (northwestiowanow.com)

What’s next

The full Spencer City Council is expected to approve the final spending plan on February 23, 2026, with the new budget going into effect on July 1, 2026.

The takeaway

Spencer's budget review process highlights the financial challenges facing many Midwestern cities, where essential services are heavily dependent on property tax revenue. The committee's efforts to cut costs and explore new revenue sources will be crucial in ensuring the city can continue providing high-quality services to its residents.