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Ashley Joens scored over 2,000 points at Iowa State. She was an All-American. She could've gone anywhere. She chose to come home.
Pending ACSD Board approval tonight, the Ankeny native has accepted the head coaching position for Ankeny High School girls basketball. The Hawkettes just landed one of the biggest names in Iowa women's basketball history — and she's ours.
If that doesn't make you proud to live here, the rest of this issue will. We've got a property tax hearing that just wrapped up, a September vote that could change how you shop in Ankeny, a construction season that's about to reshape half the city, and a family story that'll make you go hug your kids. Let's roll. 🚲
Source: @Ankeny_Hawks on X
🏛️ Property Tax Hearing — What Just Happened
The City Council held Public Hearing 2026-19 at 5:00 PM tonight — a standalone special meeting required by Iowa law before the budget can be adopted.
Here's the bottom line:
Proposed tax rate: $9.90 per $1,000 of taxable valuation — unchanged from this year.
What that means for you:
Property Type | Assessed Value | Estimated City Tax | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Residential | $100,000 / $110,000 | ~$485 | +3.19% |
Commercial | $300,000 / $330,000 | ~$2,265 | +10.98% |
The rate stays flat at $9.90, but rising property valuations mean you'll likely pay a bit more. The total levy generates $62.5 million across all city funds (general, police/fire retirement, employee benefits, and debt service).
Why it matters: Ankeny's $9.90 rate is still the lowest of any city over 5,000 in the Des Moines metro. The city says the increase in revenue is necessary to maintain services for a growing community. Final budget adoption happens April 20 — that's your next chance to weigh in.
🏛️ Monday Mayor Minute with Mayor Bobbi Bentz
Mayor Bentz got out and about this week — her first visit to Chocolaterie Stam's Ankeny location. Her verdict? Cozy, elegant, and packed with eye-catching displays of handcrafted chocolates. She grabbed some Easter items and called it a great spot for coffee and a treat.
If you haven't checked out Stam yet, consider this your sign. 🍫☕
📍 Ankeny | 🔗 Mayor Bentz on Facebook
🗳️ Mark Your Calendar: Sept. 8 Sales Tax Vote
Big one coming. Ankeny will hold a special election on September 8, 2026 to decide whether to adopt a 1% Local Option Sales Tax (LOST).
Quick facts:
Sales tax in Ankeny would go from 6% to 7% if approved
50% must go to property tax relief (state law)
Other 50%: streets, parks, trails, rec facilities, public safety equipment
Groceries, rent, utilities, prescriptions, vehicles, and gas are exempt
Ankeny is the only city in Polk County without LOST — and one of only two Iowa cities over 50,000 without it
Estimated annual revenue: ~$11.8 million, with about half paid by non-residents shopping in Ankeny
This will be one of the biggest votes in Ankeny this year. We'll break it down more as we get closer. Start paying attention now.
🚧 Spring Construction Season Is Here Ankeny
Buckle up. Here's what's active or starting this month based on the city's capital improvement plan:
🔧 West First Street Widening — Phase 2 (Active now)
Eastbound lanes closed from SW Cedarwood Dr to NW College Dr
Head-to-head traffic in westbound lanes
Two-year project: center turn lane, new water main, storm sewer, traffic signal at Linden, ~13 new streetlights
🔧 SW Des Moines Street Utility Improvements (April–September 2026)
Closed from SW Ordnance Rd to SW Kenworthy Dr
Storm sewer, street pavement, pedestrian ramps, driveway approaches
🔧 2026 Street Reconstruction Program (April–Late Fall 2026)
NE Chambers Pkwy will have intermittent small closures
NW Ninth St closed from NW Logan to NW School St
NE Trilein Dr closed from north of NE 18th to south of NE Cambridge Ct
🔧 SE Oralabor & SE Four Mile Drive Intersection (May–November 2026)
New traffic signal cabinets and heads at three intersections
Temporary all-way stop control during installation
🔧 I-35 Ankeny to Huxley (Ongoing through 2026)
Nighttime lane closures both directions, Exit 94–111, 7 PM–6 AM Sun–Thu
This year: new northbound lanes for the entire 9-mile project length
All five new bridges are now set — massive progress
🔧 South Ankeny Blvd (US 69) (Spring–Fall 2026)
Widening from SE Peterson Dr to First St
New traffic signals at 1st and 3rd Streets, turn lanes, safety improvements
At least one lane each direction stays open
📍 Full details: ankenyiowa.gov/construction
🌤️ This Week's Weather
Classic April in Iowa — grab a jacket Monday and Tuesday, then watch it warm up midweek before rain moves in.
Day | High / Low | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
Mon 4/6 | 47° / 37° | Overcast |
Tue 4/7 | 40° / 31° | Slight rain |
Wed 4/8 | 64° / 38° | Rain, windy (23 mph) |
Thu 4/9 | 64° / 45° | Rain/storms |
Fri 4/10 | 60° / 46° | Showers |
Sat 4/11 | 63° / 49° | Showers |
Sun 4/12 | mid 50s | Improving |
Thursday through Saturday will be wet. Plan indoor activities for the kids and skip any outdoor plans.
⚠️ Iowa DOT: Spring Snow Advisory
April showers just turned into flurries — and possibly accumulating snow tonight into Tuesday. Even light snow can cause slick roads and traction/braking issues.
If you're driving Monday night or Tuesday morning:
🕐 Give yourself extra time
🚗 Put distance between you and other vehicles
🧊 Assume bridges and overpasses are slick first
Spring needs to straighten up and fly right. 😄
Source: Iowa DOT on Facebook
🚜 Farm Season = Railroad Safety Season
Farmers are firing up planters and hitting rural crossings — and the Iowa DOT wants everyone to remember: trains always have the right of way.
Here's what you need to know:
🛤️ Iowa has 4,111 public at-grade crossings and another 2,235 passive crossings (crossbuck sign only)
🚂 A freight train going 55 mph needs more than a mile (18 football fields) to stop
🔊 Farm equipment is big, slow, and loud — you might not see or hear a train coming
If you or someone in your life operates farm equipment, share this. The responsibility to #SeeTracksThinkTrain is yours.
📚 Library Happenings This Week
📍 Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library — 1250 SW District Drive
Tue 4/7 — Snack Attack: Homemade Peach Rings | 5–6 PM | Grades 5–12
Sat 4/11 — Lace Up For Life 5K & Festival | 9 AM | 1604 W 1st St | Benefits Alpha Women's Center — run, walk, Chick-fil-A lunch, inflatables, face painting
🍽️ New Eats & Local Bites
🌯 TNT's Tacos N' Tortas — Now Open in Ankeny!
They quietly opened up shop and then dropped a BOGO grand opening on everyone — buy one burrito, get one free. No soft launch, no warning… just burritos and chaos. If you haven't tried them yet, now's the time.
📍 Ankeny | 🔗 Follow TNT's on Facebook
🌶️ Barrio Burrito Bar — Now Serving Ankeny
Bold, fresh flavors just landed in town. Barrio is officially open and serving up burritos at their new location.
📍 1510 North Ankeny Blvd, Suite 102 | 🔗 Follow Barrio on Facebook
⛳ Tin Cup Bar & Grille Is Back for the Season
The Tin Cup at Otter Creek Golf Course officially reopened for the season — dine-in or carry-out. Whether you're hitting the links or just craving lunch, the full menu is live. City-owned, community-loved.
📍 Otter Creek Golf Course | 🔗 View the menu
Source: City of Ankeny on Facebook
📅 Chamber & Community Events
👩💼 Mentoring for Women — Ankeny Area Chamber
📅 Monday, April 14 | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 The District Venue, Ankeny
Women mentors who are influential in business and the community will lead fast, fun roundtable discussions. Coffee, lunch, and keynote speaker Jill Urich included. Great morning to make real connections.
Presented by ROOF Iowa
🔗 Register here
🍽️ "Savor Ankeny" — Business After Hours
📅 Thursday, April 9 | 4:00–5:30 PM (stay until 6:00 PM for food & festivities)
📍 First National Bank — 1205 N. Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny
This isn't your usual networking night. First National Bank is hosting their annual Savor Ankeny — featuring delicious bites from a variety of local restaurants and venues. Bring your business cards, sample the best flavors in town, and make some new connections in a relaxed, high-energy setting.
No registration required. Just show up hungry.
Source: Ankeny Area Chamber on Facebook
🏡 Know Your Community Spaces
💪 Albaugh Family Senior Community Center — Not Just for Seniors
Haven't been yet? This community center is for all ages and features:
🏃 Indoor walking track
🏓 Pickleball courts
⛳ Golf/sport simulator
🏋️ Fitness equipment & classes
🩺 Health screenings (for seniors via Polk County)
Membership is required for city amenities, but day passes are available. If you've been looking for an affordable place to stay active in Ankeny, this is it.
📍 150 NW Ash Drive | 🔗 ankenyiowa.gov/acc
Source: City of Ankeny on Facebook
🧹 Mark Your Calendar: Spring Cleanup Days
Got bulky items piling up in the garage? Ankeny Spring Cleanup Days are coming May 16 & 17.
Can't wait that long? Contact your private trash hauler for bulk pickup options now.
⚠️ Reminder: Dumpsters at city buildings, parks, and public spaces are not for private household trash or oversized items. No dumping.
📍 More info: ankenyiowa.gov/316/Recycling-Events
Source: City of Ankeny on Facebook
🏠 Ankeny Real Estate Spotlight
Home for Sale at 5429 NE Briarwood Dr in Ankeny
💰 $276,000 | 🛏️ 2 Beds | 🛁 2 Baths | 📐 1,341 SQFT
Looking to buy in Ankeny — or know someone who is? This FSBO listing is worth a look.
Source: @REEDesMoines on X
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