Ames, IA
Recent Ames City Council topics include planning & zoning, budget & taxes, roads & infrastructure, permits & licensing, contracts & procurement, resolutions & ordinances.
Topics found in recent meetings
- Planning & zoning
- Budget & taxes
- Roads & infrastructure
- Permits & licensing
- Contracts & procurement
- Resolutions & ordinances
- Public safety
- Technology
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Our record for Ames may be out of date. The most recent record we hold is from Thu Apr 2, 2026. (140 days ago) Newer meetings may not have been published to the official portal yet, or may not have been collected by us yet — this is a statement about our record, not about whether the city council has met. Check the official portal before concluding nothing is scheduled.
AmesIA averageUS Census ACS
Typical home value $306,337 +2.7% yr/yr · +17.5% 5-yr
Home-value trend 2009–2026 (Zillow ZHVI)
Municipal budget
Total revenue$462.8M (FY2023)
Total spending$402.2M (FY2023)
Taxes$50.4M (FY2023)
Debt outstanding$431.6M (FY2023)
Spending per resident$6,055 (FY2023)
Development activity
Housing units permitted — US Census Building Permits Survey
2025115 housing units ($39.0M)
Recent meetings
Thu Feb 5, 2026
Ames City Council
Ames City Council holds budget hearings and closed session
The Ames City Council is holding a special meeting to conduct budget hearings for various departments and a closed session to discuss potential litigation. Public input on the budget is scheduled for a later meeting.
- City Council Budget Hearings for Transportation, General Government, and Community Development
- Closed session to discuss matters in litigation or where litigation is imminent
- Public input on budget scheduled for February 10, 2026
budgetcity-councilclosed-sessiontransithousinglitigation
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
FEBRUARY 5, 2026
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public during discussion. The Standards of Decorum, posted at the door and available on the City website, define respectful conduct for public participation. If you wish to speak, please fill out the form on the tablet outside the door to the Council Chambers or scan the QR Code to the right to fill out the same form on a personal device. When your name is called, please step to the microphone, state your name for the record, and keep your comments brief so that others may have the opportunity to speak.
CALL TO ORDER : 5:15 p.m.
WORKSHOP :
1.
City Council Budget Hearings:*
Transportation Program
Transit
General Government/Internal Services
City Council
City Manager
City Clerk
Communications and Outreach
Sustainability
Legal Services
Human Resources
Risk Management
Health Insurance
Health Promotion
Community Development Program
Planning Services
Administrative Support Services
City-Wide Housing Programs
Community Development Block Grant
HOME Program
HOME/ARP Program
COUNCIL COMMENTS :
CLOSED SESSION :
2.
Motion to hold Closed Session as provided by Section 21.5(1)(c), Code of Iowa , to discuss matters presently in litigation or where litigat …
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Wed Feb 4, 2026
Ames City Council
Ames City Council to hold budget hearings for city programs
The City Council is conducting a workshop to review budgets for various city programs. These include culture, recreation, transportation, utilities, and public safety. Public input on these items will be received at a separate meeting on February 10, 2026.
- Budget hearings for Culture and Recreation Program, Parks and Recreation, and Cemetery
- Budget hearings for Transportation Program and Right-of-Way Maintenance
- Budget hearings for Utilities Program Electric Services
- Budget hearings for Public Safety Program including Fire Safety, Law Enforcement, and Animal Control
- Budget hearings for Parking Law Enforcement
budgetpublic-safetytransportationutilitiesparks-and-recreation
Tue Feb 3, 2026
Ames City Council
City Council holds budget workshop for multiple programs
The Ames City Council is holding a special meeting to discuss the proposed budgets for several city programs, including Culture and Recreation, Utilities, Transportation, and General Government. The workshop covers departmental presentations on Library Services, Water & Pollution Control, and other services. No final decisions are made; public input is scheduled for a later meeting on February 10, 2026.
- Budget hearings for Culture and Recreation (Library Services)
- Utilities Program budget covering Water & Pollution Control administration and operations
- Transportation Program budget including Public Works, Traffic Engineering, and Airport Operations
- General Government/Internal Services budget for Fleet Services, Facilities, and IT
- Public input scheduled for February 10, 2026, during the Budget Wrap-Up Meeting
budgetcity-councillibrary-servicesutilitiestransportationpublic-worksworkshop
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
FEBRUARY 3, 2026
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public during discussion. The Standards of Decorum, posted at the door and available on the City website, define respectful conduct for public participation. If you wish to speak, please fill out the form on the tablet outside the door to the Council Chambers or scan the QR Code to the right to fill out the same form on a personal device. When your name is called, please step to the microphone, state your name for the record, and keep your comments brief so that others may have the opportunity to speak.
CALL TO ORDER : 5:15 p.m.
WORKSHOP :
1.
Council Budget Hearings:*
Culture and Recreation Program
Library Services
Utilities Program
Water & Pollution Control (W&PC) Administration
Water Treatment Plant Operations
WPC Facility Operations
W & PC Laboratory
W & PC Metering Services
Water Distribution System
Sanitary Sewer Collection System
Stormwater Permit Program
Stormwater System Maintenance
Resource Recovery
Recycling Services
Transportation Program
Public Works Administration
Public Works Engineering
Public Works GIS
Traffic Engineering
Traffic Operations
Street Lights
Street System
Parking Operations
Airport Operations
General Government/Internal Services
F …
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Fri Jan 30, 2026
Ames City Council
Council reviews recommended 2026/27 fiscal year budget
The Ames City Council will hold a special meeting to review the Budget Overview for the recommended 2026/27 Fiscal Year. This is the only substantive item on the agenda; the remainder consists of procedural items such as call to order, council comments, and adjournment.
- Budget overview for the recommended 2026/27 Fiscal Year
budgetfiscal-yearcity-councilames
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
JANUARY 30, 2026
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public during discussion. The Standards of Decorum, posted at the door and available on the City website, define respectful conduct for public participation. If you wish to speak, please fill out the form on the tablet outside the door to the Council Chambers or scan the QR Code to the right to fill out the same form on a personal device. When your name is called, please step to the microphone, state your name for the record, and keep your comments brief so that others may have the opportunity to speak.
CALL TO ORDER : 2:00 p.m.
BUDGET :
1.
Budget Overview for recommended 2026/27 Fiscal Year
COUNCIL COMMENTS :
DISPOSTION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL:
ADJOURNMENT :
Please note that this agenda may be changed up to 24 hours before the meeting time as provided by Section 21.4(2), Code of Iowa.
Tue Jan 27, 2026
Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Policy Committee
Hearing on amendment to FFY 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program
The Transportation Policy Committee will hold a public hearing on an amendment to the FFY 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program. The consent agenda includes approval of minutes from the January 13, 2026 meeting. No other substantive actions are scheduled.
- Public hearing on amendment to FFY 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program
- Approval of minutes from January 13, 2026 meeting
transportationmetropolitan-planning-organizationpublic-hearingtransportation-improvement-programconsent-agendaamesiowa
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
AGENDA
AMES AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (AAMPO) TRANSPORTATION POLICY COMMITTEE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
JANUARY 27, 2026
CALL TO ORDE R : 6:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA : All items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a request is made prior to the time the Committee members vote on the motion.
1.
Motion approving Minutes of the Regular Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee Meeting on January 13, 2026
HEARINGS :
2.
Hearing on amendment to the FFY 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program
POLICY COMMITTEE COMMENTS :
ADJOURNMENT :
Tue Jan 27, 2026
Ames City Council
City Council approves contracts and alcohol licenses
The Ames City Council will consider approving payments, alcohol licenses, and contracts for software, engineering, and electric buses. The meeting also includes public hearings on zoning changes and a discussion on human relations.
- Resolution awarding contract to Insight Public Sector for Microsoft software licensing ($287,530.68)
- Resolution awarding contract to DGR Engineering for Ontario Road Substation Improvements ($1,302,700)
- Resolution approving Change Order No. 2 for five battery electric buses ($64,755.60)
- Hearing on rezoning property at 204 SE 2nd Street from Highway-Oriented Commercial to Neighborhood Commercial
- Discussion on elements for Draft Municipal Code Chapter 14, Human Relations
councilcontractsalcoholzoningpublic-workstransportation
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
JANUARY 27, 2026
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public during discussion. The Standards of Decorum, posted at the door and available on the City website, define respectful conduct for public participation. If you wish to speak, please fill out the form on the tablet outside the door to the Council Chambers or scan the QR Code to the right to fill out the same form on a personal device. When your name is called, please step to the microphone, state your name for the record, and keep your comments brief so that others may have the opportunity to speak.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL**
** Regular City Council Meeting will immediately follow the
Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee
CALL TO ORDER : 6:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA : All items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a request is made prior to the time the Council members vote on the motion.
1.
Motion approving payment of claims
2.
Motion approving Report of Change …
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Tue Jan 20, 2026
Ames City Council
City Council to review recommended five-year Capital Improvements Plan
The Ames City Council is holding a special meeting to receive a staff presentation. The discussion will focus on the recommended five-year Capital Improvements Plan.
- Staff presentation of recommended five-year Capital Improvements Plan
capital-improvementsplanninginfrastructure
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
JANUARY 20, 2026
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public during discussion. The Standards of Decorum, posted at the door and available on the City website, define respectful conduct for public participation. If you wish to speak, please fill out the form on the tablet outside the door to the Council Chambers or scan the QR Code to the right to fill out the same form on a personal device. When your name is called, please step to the microphone, state your name for the record, and keep your comments brief so that others may have the opportunity to speak.
CALL TO ORDER : 5:15 p.m.
WORKSHOP :
1.
Staff presentation of recommended five-year Capital Improvements Plan
DISPOSITION OF COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL:
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT:
Please note that this agenda may be changed up to 24 hours before the meeting time as provided by Section 21.4(2), Code of Iowa.
Tue Jan 13, 2026
Ames City Council
City Council approves alcohol licenses and public event permits for 2026
The Ames City Council will vote on approving alcohol licenses for local businesses and special events, including a $100,000 grant application for youth climate action. The meeting also includes the second and third readings of ordinances regarding zoning and transportation devices.
- Approving alcohol licenses for Stephens Auditorium, The Stan Tap, and other local businesses
- Authorizing a grant application for up to $100,000 from Bloomberg Philanthropies
- Approving 2026 special event permits and parking fee waivers for Ames Main Street
- Second reading of ordinances modifying zoning for South 530th Avenue and SE 2nd Street
- Approving a $490,370 contract with HDR Engineering for storm sewer analysis
alcohol-licenseszoningbudgeteventsinfrastructurepublic-workstransportation
📄 From the agenda
Extracted text of the official agenda document (automated extraction — may contain OCR/formatting errors).
AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL
JANUARY 13, 2026
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public during discussion. The Standards of Decorum, posted at the door and available on the City website, define respectful conduct for public participation. If you wish to speak, please fill out the form on the tablet outside the door to the Council Chambers or scan the QR Code to the right to fill out the same form on a personal device. When your name is called, please step to the microphone, state your name for the record, and keep your comments brief so that others may have the opportunity to speak.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE AMES CITY COUNCIL**
** Regular City Council Meeting will immediately follow the
Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Committee
CALL TO ORDER : 6:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA : All items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a request is made prior to the time the Council members vote on the motion.
1.
Motion approving payment of claims
2.
Motion approving Report of Change Or …
Excerpt truncated on this listing page. Full text →
💰 Federal awards (top 10 by amount)
Largest recent federal contract/grant awards to recipients in this city (2023–present), via USAspending.gov.
| $1.1B | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Department of Energy · MULTI-PROGRAM NATIONAL PHYSICAL RESEARCH INCLUDING RARE EARTHS AND USE |
| $2.1M | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Department of Defense · IGF::OT::IGF PROJECT NO. RC-2441, RESTORING FUNCTION TO A NOVEL ECOSYS |
| $2.0M | NEOVAXSYN INC Department of Health and Human Services · NANOVACCINE FOR ELICITING BNABS AGAINST HIV-1 |
| $1.5M | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Department of Defense · RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO STUDY NANOMEDICINE COUNTERMEASURE |
| $1.2M | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Department of Transportation · IGF::OT::IGF NEW TASK ORDER. |
| $975,606 | PATHOVACS INC Department of Defense · STTR PHASE II |
| $664,521 | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Department of Health and Human Services · FY 2020 COVID-19 BAA TOPIC 1- IOWA STATE |
| $656,226 | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Department of Transportation · IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTION(S) NEW CONTRACT:"QUANTIFYING PAVEMENT ALBE |
| $609,163 | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Department of Defense · FALL 2025 (FY-26) NROTC MIDSHIPMEN TUITION AND ALLOWABLE FEES |
| $552,784 | IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Department of Defense · SPRING 2026 IOWA STATE NROTC MIDSHIPMEN TUITION AND ALLOWABLE FEES |
Source: USAspending.gov (U.S. Treasury) — federal awards only, not city budgets.
🌐 County-level context (Story County)
County-level context — from BLS, IRS, FEMA, HUD, Census. These figures cover the whole county this city sits in, not just the city itself.
Net migration-547 people (-$51.1M net AGI · 2023)
Federal disasters (10 yr)5 ({"Severe Storm": 12, "Flood": 6, "Biological": 2, "Hurricane · last Fri May 24, 2024)
Traffic fatalities2 (2024)
Business establishments2,162 (33,500 employees · 2023)
Fair Market Rent (2BR)$1,056/mo (486 assisted households · 2025)
Adults with low literacy10.9% (low numeracy 18% · 2017)
Sources: BLS LAUS, IRS SOI, FEMA, NHTSA FARS, Census CBP, HUD, NCES PIAAC
City profile
Everything below is drawn from this city’s own public record and primary-source government data. AI-written summaries are a finding aid, not a citable quote.
$462.8M
Annual budget
$431.6M
Debt outstanding
115
Permitted housing units
The money — in
source: Census gov-finance & state comptrollerBudget
Revenue$462.8M
Spending$402.2M
Revenue ran ahead of operating spending this year.
Debt load MODERATE
Outstanding debt$431.6M
Debt-to-revenue0.93×
Debt-load index58 / 100
A debt-load indicator (national percentile of debt, deficit & aid-reliance) — not a solvency verdict. Cross-checked against official state fiscal-stress scores where they exist.
Outcomes — economic mobility
source: Opportunity Atlas (Harvard) · research useFor kids who grew up here in low-income households, their adult household-income rank (0–1). The average hides a gap by race:
Research-only layer, shown here for context — not included in the CC BY 4.0 bulk download.
Where it’s happening
geocoded land-use decisions🗺 Interactive map
Every rezoning, development approval, and permit — explore the geocoded records in the research explorer.
Meeting archives
- 2025 (23 meetings)