[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6617821,"mediaKeyId","2838412-3c65fe8e7727b85a5298e40e91c96bfd","parentId",2838412,"title","Council reviews proposed FY2025–26 budget, sets public hearing and addresses police staffing and automated license-plate cameras","audioSeconds",959,"startMs",398330,"endMs",1357910,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838412-3c65fe8e7727b85a5298e40e91c96bfd&start=398&end=1357","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838412-3c65fe8e7727b85a5298e40e91c96bfd/thumbnail_398330.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617821/Le-Mars/Plymouth-County/Iowa/Council-reviews-proposed-FY202526-budget-sets-public-hearing-and-addresses-police-staffing-and-automated-license-plate-cameras","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617821-ef44c4c0bf5152436b059d3f7b49693e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170687&Signature=DuEwdA9dzXI~nThnACKRZOvfufN43qgEj1iW8AFauaxIHnLHsrGamChEKUWXAaZapDL062tKceHRRpil8VpjEty9BP3EAiDzRhMqfEDmjikZ9z9kZWT2QiVXF2Hmz6RHVFleUK8vrETrGL3qiYaXh0C7mgWMyxZHNsMoU3IeBmj0KaFaAzwCMUNDr-B8~RX~enpDQzhMCV1iqK0BzfJvozNwSbqZqaJ-YbXjDj-P65p-e9rJZr3iVeJVW70xCMbkjSiPsl73hWB-klF34qC-wQVIkdpDB7UVzFdhY87OAMUkOwIuXUH91SizykBAcu9ARjJZhA~9yWpyoF9J1VUimw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Le Mars","date","2025-04-01T20:06:54.81Z","article","City staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and recommended the Le Mars City Council publish the proposed budget and set a public hearing for April 15, 2025.

Staff reported the proposed levy rate of 11.8705, down from last year’s 12.78294 (a decrease of about $0.91). The proposed budget as presented lists total revenues of $95,205,342 and total expenditures of $64,629,220 excluding transfers; the Floyd Valley Healthcare budget of $65,500,000 is included in the materials. Administration recommended the council approve publication of the proposed budget and set a public hearing on April 15, 2025.

Council members pressed staff on what the revenue figures include and on near-term deadlines for certification. Staff said the elevated revenue and expenditure totals reflect possible large capital projects that would increase both anticipated revenues (for example, bond proceeds) and related expenditures if projects proceed. Staff noted that if some projects do not go forward, the revenues and expenses tied to them would not be realized.

Several council members expressed concern about the long-term fiscal impact of adding full-time positions and giving across-the-board raises. One council member described themselves as a “tax hawk” and said permanent staffing additions can bind future councils and may require more conservative decisions in later years. City staff acknowledged those concerns and said the council can continue to discuss unresolved items at the public hearing or in the next council meeting; staff noted certification deadlines create scheduling pressure.

The meeting record also addressed police staffing and technology requests included in budget discussions. Police leadership reported that officer 17 was previously approved to replace a retiring officer effective July 1 and that officer 18 is being requested in the current budget. Police staff said they plan to apply for COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant funding when the program opens; staff advised the council that a typical COPS grant process can take about 18–24 months from application to award, so any grant-funded hiring would be delayed. For an approved COPS award, the department said it prefers a 50/50 funding split over three years for grant maintenance, though the city could choose to front-load funding.

Police also described a request to install automated license-plate recognition cameras (described in the meeting by staff as “Flock” cameras) for investigative use only. Staff requested funding for up to eight cameras in the community beginning in July and said local grants would cover some units: one local grant would pay for two cameras for three years and a separate grant application could cover four cameras for 24 months. Staff said the city has requested $25,000 in the current budget for the camera program and that, in a worst-case scenario if additional grants are not secured, $6,000 of that amount would be used over the next two years to maintain the system. Staff emphasized these cameras are not traffic enforcement devices and are designed to capture rear license-plate data only; staff described access to camera data for investigations with a 30-day retention window.

No ordinance or levy certification vote is recorded in the transcript excerpt; the meeting record shows administration’s recommendation and council discussion of publication with a proposed hearing date. Council members asked for additional detail on reserve-day values and the schedule of upcoming meetings to ensure there is sufficient time to review and certify the budget by statutory deadlines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Le Mars Council Meeting April 1, 2025 Part 2 of 4","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget using a levy rate of 11.8705 and recommended publishing the budget and setting a public hearing for April 15, 2025. Council members debated long-term staffing costs, police COPS grant timing and a request for automated “Flock” license-plate cameras and partial city funding.","taxTitle","Le Mars, Plymouth County, Iowa","taxId",64213,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6617826,"Council approves new eight-step pay scale, wage increases for fire rescue effective July 1, 2025",396,1000,397630,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2838412-3c65fe8e7727b85a5298e40e91c96bfd&start=1&end=397","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2838412-3c65fe8e7727b85a5298e40e91c96bfd/thumbnail_1000.jpg","/articles/6617826/Le-Mars/Plymouth-County/Iowa/Council-approves-new-eight-step-pay-scale-wage-increases-for-fire-rescue-effective-July-1-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617826-38af861b86b54b3c19008e790b92e91d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170687&Signature=n0xyWd0CVEAtqTtXxk-zbWIShpOj1s4-yohCg6R1vxlg529YnQMMIDMHA-zO4XAB6KOcO~e-8HkTFi9KjVvEzA5uNWvnNjQYleeEZ6DLPc2L0DFawR5X6gRbdnWJandBsg~XftSzr~HpGdEKXjSPfA0UstReWlyN7slPOb8rxB8NRfCVJm-iflcJw0YwCXgazZWk77ETmkENpR8olIHHGx0AAm1jbHDvyT~lzwEAhcI8w3I2~ilFJOEjVsrFMkD~fzfQP1PpcWBvM0GJsajnOGcJJOIcBJhOW7Z9ymSZESvEwFd8PTslK~7IkViTQdZ2NxVKojXcWZ8vgHve2EtuJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Le Mars City Council members voted to approve wage adjustments and a new stepped pay scale for fire rescue personnel, effective July 1, 2025.

The change replaces the prior three-step pay progression with eight steps. City staff presented figures showing the proposed starting base for firefighter-paramedics would rise from $20.74 under the old scale to about $21.08 under the new scale, and the new top step would reach $27.82 compared with the previous top of $23.40. Council members moved and seconded the motion; the council adopted it by voice vote.

Council discussion focused on how the new eight-step structure will raise wages over time and provide a larger pay spread to reward longevity. City staff said the change is designed to make the department more competitive for recruitment and retention; staff reported that the new top step, once reached, will be just above the statewide average while the starting pay will remain below the statewide average. The council recorded the motion as approved; a formal roll-call tally was not specified in the meeting record.

The council and staff also described existing volunteer and supplemental pay arrangements that will continue alongside the new full-time scale. According to staff, volunteer pay includes a typical call rate of $15.50 per hour for fire calls, a separate per-hour rate for volunteer ambulance transport, and shift pay for 12-hour shifts (examples given ranged from about $90 to $200 per shift depending on circumstances). Monthly stipends were reported for certain certifications and roles: hazardous-materials (hazmat) certification holders receive a $20 monthly stipend to maintain that certification, and officer roles such as captain and lieutenant receive monthly stipends. Staff described progression through the new full-time steps as based on years of service, annual performance reviews, and required additional training or certifications for higher steps (for example, fire inspection, investigation, or officer-level certifications).

The approved effective date for the pay changes is July 1, 2025. The motion on the wage adjustments was recorded in the meeting as “Motion approving wage adjustments and adjustments in a stepped pay scale for fire rescue personnel affected 07/01/2025.” The meeting record shows the motion received a second and the chair called for the ayes; the chair then said, “Motion carries.” The meeting transcript does not include a named mover, seconder, or a detailed vote tally.

Council members said they expect the step system to increase personnel costs over time and noted the long-term budget implications of permanent pay increases. Staff indicated the new scale is intended to help recruitment and retention while aligning with regional comparators.","The Le Mars City Council approved changes to the fire rescue pay structure that increase the number of pay steps from three to eight and raise base and top pay for firefighter-paramedics, effective July 1, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

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Council reviews proposed FY2025–26 budget, sets public hearing and addresses police staffing and automated license-plate cameras

Council approves new eight-step pay scale, wage increases for fire rescue effective July 1, 2025