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City Council to consider a 1% property tax increase and next year’s budget

During this Tuesday’s meeting, the city council will hold a public hearing about raising the city’s portion of property taxes by 1%. If this ordinance passes, the city’s budget will increase by 1%, but it is not necessarily a 1% increase in your property tax rate.

State law limits cities to an annual increase of just 1%, which often does not keep up with inflation. Cities can only increase property taxes above the 1% through a “Levy Lid Lift” which the council is not considering at this time.

Also on the agenda is the passage of the 2024 budget, which is projected to spend $368,639 more in the General Fund than the city is taking in tax revenue. Some councilmembers have previously complained about using the city’s savings account to cover the deficit—which is not a good long-term solution. Now is the time for the council to amend the budget to ensure it balances by making cuts or voting to raise additional taxes. Let’s see if the council is willing to make tough choices or just make noise.

Download the full Council Agenda Packet here.

You can attend the meeting in person at City Hall or virtually through Microsoft Teams. Click here to join.

Meeting ID: 216 327 647 956
Passcode: zUEefh

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