The Indianola City Council gave direction to city staff to postpone the addition of two new positions within the city at their meeting Monday. City Manager Ben Reeves tells KNIA News the city had proposed the addition of a Deputy Librarian under current Library Director Michele Patrick, and an Assistant Engineer under current Public Works Director Akhiles Pal. Reeves said the council wanted to wait until a clearer budget picture in the new year.

“It’s not for the lack of need in those departments or even for the lack of proper budgeting, each of our departments are working extremely well and their operating within their budgets. The real concern is we have a lot of external pressures from the state on our ability to fund local government. Previously we have been trying to draw down some of our reserves, and so right now we are trying to level that out, make sure revenues and expenditures are tied together. The council just wanted to take a step back and look at it through a more holistic point of view at their budget retreat in January before they pull the trigger on any positions.”

To listen to the full interview, click below.

https://www.kniakrls.com/2024/12/04/lets-talk-indianola-city-council-recap-92/