Bettendorf City Council planning to maintain same tax rate, but higher assessments would increase residential property taxes by 5 percent

Bettendorf aldermen are expected to approve a new budget Tuesday (3/6) which maintains the existing tax rate thanks to higher residential property assessments and a successful early retirement offer projected to trim the city payroll by $730,000 annually.

The council already has approved the first reading of fee increases for solid waste (5 percent), storm water (8.5 percent) and sewer (7 percent) services.

City staff had recommended the council increase the tax rate to $12.55 per $1,000 assessed valuation from $12.50 per $1,000 assessed valuation to offset a projected $912,000 deficit caused primarily by higher health insurance costs, reduced sales tax income and lower gaming revenue.

The average homeowner wouldl see at 4.9 percent increase in city property tax, according to city officials, because of the higher assessments of residential property in the city.

While the early retirement package will result in a one-time $1.3 million cost to the city, the lower payroll is projected to save $730,000 a year annually in the following years.

CLICK HERE for additional details on the proposed fiscal year 2018-19, which runs from July 1 of this year to June 30, 2019.