The spending plan reviewed by the City Council Monday includes a property tax rate of $20.75 per $1,000 of taxable value.

That is down from the current rate of $20.95 per $1,000 of taxable value.

It also calls for eliminating six positions, which in turn may impact the services received by citizens.

City Manager David Fierke said all six positions are vacant or will be vacant before the new fiscal year starts on July 1. He said the city is taking advantage of those vacancies to help close an operating deficit that was estimated at $400,000.

The six positions are:

• Assistant fire chief.

• Aquatics and program coordinator in the Recreation Department.

• Administrative assistant at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.

• One building inspector in the Development Services Department.

• Community and economic development manager in the Development Services Department.

• One supervisor in the Public Areas Department.

In a report to the council, Fierke listed these potential impacts to services:

Hours at the Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center will be reduced by about five hours a week.

Hours at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum will likely be reduced.

There may be longer response times to complaints about nuisances such as tall weeds and junk.

Hours and services at the Fort Dodge Public Library may be reduced.

The total expenditures in the proposed budget, including those paid for with taxes and those paid for with fees, such as water and sewer service, is $125,791,791.

The budget is for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2026.

The budget’s property tax levy of $20.75 is divided up as follows:

• $8.54 for the general fund, which pays for police and fire protection, plus a wide range of other government services.

• $6.54 for employee benefits.

• $4.50 to pay off general obligation bond debt.

• 76 cents for property and liability insurance.

• 33 cents to support Dodger Area Rapid Transit.

• 8 cents to support Webster County Emergency Management.

City Finance Director Jeff Nemmers said he must list the property tax levy rate with the state by 5 p.m. March 5. He said after that time the rate is “locked in” and cannot be changed.

He said the council will hold a required public hearing on the property tax rate on March 24.

He said final action on the budget will be scheduled for the council’s April 28 meeting.