Since curbside recycling began in July, some homes that routinely have their trash picked up in the alley were told to leave their recycling carts on the street. Twenty-seven complained and eight have withdrawn from the service. Low-power lines, narrow lanes, fences and dead ends make pickup difficult and sometimes dangerous. The recycling trucks are wider than most garbage pickup trucks. Other options would expand alley pickup but could cost up to $80,766 a year and require a rate hike.
The Ames City Council voted to allow up to 250 homes to skip the $7.75 monthly fee, should they elect not to place their recycling carts in the alleys where their trash is picked up. Currently, the recycling program serves 13,461 Ames properties and the opt-outs could cost the recycling program $35,000.
Ames faces tighter budget, power plant gets $54 million
Ames leaders are looking for ways to protect city finances after a new state law, Senate File 2472, capped annual growth in the city’s main tax fund at 2%, plus revenue from new construction. City staff warn that the cap will make it harder to fund basic services. The law also shortens the duration of some tax-increment financing (TIF) districts to a maximum of 23 years instead of indefinitely.
To offset the impact, staff presented several strategies to the council, including creating new TIF development zones before January 2027. The council will discuss the strategies at its next meeting.
Power plant: The council set the stage for one of its largest power investments in years, agreeing to borrow up to $53.9 million toward a $192.7 million project to build new generators for Ames Municipal Electric Utility. A public hearing is set for Sept. 8 before approval.
Financial advisers recommended phasing the borrowing rather than one large loan, which staff said could save about $50.8 million. The bonds won’t raise property taxes. Instead, they’ll be repaid through electric bills with rates modeled to increase 2.5% annually. If all goes as planned, the bond agreement will close Oct. 29 with all bonds retired by 2056.
In other business:
- Animal shelter planning: The council approved preliminary plans for a $7.7 million animal shelter to replace the aging Billy Sunday Road facility, whose heating and cooling systems need constant repairs. It will also get a new name: Ames Animal Control will become Ames Animal Services.
- Interim city attorneys: The council appointed Assistant City Attorneys Jane Chang and Vikki Feilmeyer interim city attorneys after the search for a permanent replacement fell behind schedule. Staff expects candidates by early October and a job offer by mid- to late October, but the new hire will need time to step in, leaving a gap the council must cover.
- Ames cuts climate pollution by 15%: Despite the progress, steeper cuts are needed to meet targets of 70% by 2030 and 94% by 2050. Most progress stems from Iowa State University switching its power plant from coal to gas, plus energy-efficiency gains in homes and industry.
- Next time: The council’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at Ames City Hall.
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