The City Council passed the fiscal year 2025 budget at the April 23rd, 2024 City Council meeting and is lowering the property tax levy. Here are 5 things to know about the budget.

1. The Tax Levy Is Decreasing

The total city tax rate for fiscal year ‘25 will decrease from the current year of $11.07553 to $10.84518.

2. The City Makes Up Only 30% of Your Property Taxes

The school and county make up the majority of the other 70%.

3. Public Safety Is a Large Portion of the Budget

Public Safety makes up 43% of the general fund in the FY 25 budget. This year, the updated union contract with IAFF and the new 28E with Johnston for Fire and EMS Services were additional expenses.

4. New Property Tax Law Affects the Budget

The new property tax law passed by the state legislature ratchets down our general fund levy by at least $0.22/$1000. The law makes it so that cities in Iowa's revenues don't grow as quickly, therefore they take in less money than they otherwise would. This may affect the types and number of projects (road repairs, additional services) that cities can complete. Fortunately, Grimes is in a strong financial position.



5. FY 25 CIP Projects Include New Fire Station, Park Improvements, and Road Repairs

Here are a few examples of proposed and current projects - this is not a complete list: new fire station construction, Lions Park & Autumn Park Trail improvements, SE Little Beaver & SW 19th St water main replacement, E 1st St & Gateway Dr intersection, traffic calming (NE Heritage Dr, NE Park Dr & NW 8th St), and traffic signals at Beaverbrooke & Heritage on Gateway.

The City Wide Garage Sale is just around the corner on May 2nd through 5th. Click here to view the map. The map has a search feature where you can find out what's for sale and when the garage sales are open. Not on the map? No problem! Residents can host a sale without being on the map.

The Spring Cleanup is on your regular collection day of May 6th or 7th. Here are some do's and don'ts for the day.

Do's

• Set items out by 6 am on your collection day of May 6th or 7th.
• Set your regular trash bin, recycling, and yard waste bags/cart out for collection too.
• Be patient. It could take MWA a little longer to get to you depending on how much they have to collect.
• Make sure you only put out items that can be collected. If you can lift it and it would fit in the back of a pickup truck, then it may be picked up. Click here to view examples of what will and won't be accepted.
• Call MWA with questions at 515-244-0021.

Don't

• Don't include appliances, hazardous waste, or loose yard waste.
• Don't include tires, which can be dropped off May 13th - 19th, from 7:00 am - 3:00 pm at 1700 SE Destination Drive, free of charge.
• Don't include construction materials.
• Don't set out additional items after your first batch was picked up.

Here's your chance to dispose of old tires and extra yard waste for free! Just bring them to the Public Works building on the following dates and times:

• Yard waste: Saturday, May 11th to Sunday, May 19th from 7 am to 3 pm. On Mother's Day Sunday, May 12th, the hours will be 7 am to noon.
• Tires: Monday, May 13th to Sunday, May 19th from 7 am to 3 pm. Tires from tractors and bicycles, or solid tires from lawnmowers or golf carts, are not accepted.

Mark your calendars! We are bringing back our Movie at Heritage event on June 13, 2024, with a free showing of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Activities start at 6 pm and the movie will begin at 7 pm. We’ll have a special outdoor screen at Heritage Park that has a perfect picture (even in the daylight) so you won’t miss a second of the movie. There will be free popcorn, but don’t forget snacks, drinks, and chairs/blankets that you'd like to bring from home. Thank you to our sponsor Raccoon Valley Bank!

You will soon see a change on E 1st St. In the coming weeks, 309 E 1st St will be demolished. The City purchased the vacant property in anticipation of future improvements to the roadway and intersection. City staff determined that due to the state of the building, the best course of action would be to demolish the building now. Plans are in the works to put a food truck court in the open lot. There will be room for seating and parking.

Heads up! Crews are working on intersection improvements at NE Beaverbrooke Blvd and Hwy 141. There will be lane closures on weekdays from 9 am to 4 pm. All lanes will be open during the morning and evening commutes, on the weekends, or while waiting for the new traffic signal equipment. Lanes will also be open on one side if work is not affecting it. This project is also adding the connection of NE Beaverbrooke Blvd on the east side of the intersection, two left turn lanes on southbound Hwy 141, a right turn lane on northbound Hwy 141 onto NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, extending the existing two left turn lanes on northbound Hwy 141, and new traffic signals.

The City is coordinating this project with the Iowa DOT and it is expected to be done in September. We understand that this is an extremely busy road. No one enjoys getting stuck in traffic. Our hope is the reduced hours on this project will help limit some issues, but unfortunately, there will be some traffic delays.

Complete this quick survey to help us better understand what our residents know about stormwater and be entered to win a rain barrel. The results from this survey will help us understand the topic and may be used in public education materials. We’ll announce the winner on Facebook and grimesiowa.gov on May 15th. The survey is available here or there are printed surveys available at the Library.

The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report for the City of Grimes is now available at grimesiowa.gov/water-quality-reports. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources requires that the City make this report available to all customers. The report has more information about drinking water in Grimes. For a paper copy, please contact Grimes City Hall at 515-986-3036.

City of Grimes buildings will be closed on Monday, May 27th in observation of Memorial Day. This will change when your trash/recycling/yard waste is picked up.

• South of Hwy 44 - collection will move to Tuesday, May 28th
• North of Hwy 44 - collection will move to Wednesday, May 29th

• May 2 to 5 — Citywide Garage Sale
• May 2 — Public Health & Safety Board Meeting
• May 6 to 7 — Spring Cleanup
• May 7 — Planning & Zoning Meeting
• May 11 to 19 — Yard Waste Drop Off
• May 13 to 19 — Tire Drop-Off
• May 14 — City Council Workshop
• May 15 — Tree Board Meeting
• May 21 — Library Board Meeting
• May 22 — Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting
• May 27 — City Buildings Closed Memorial Day
• May 28 — City Council Meeting
• June 13 — Movie at Heritage

*Meetings listed above are open to the public. Agendas are available here 24 hours before the meeting or sooner. Please refer to the calendar at grimesiowa.gov for an up-to-date meeting schedule.