Bettendorf residential property taxes would go up an average of 3.65 percent next year under the 2011/12 budget recommendation being considered by the city council.
While the city administration is recommending keeping the municipal tax rate the same as last year, increased residential property assessments are projected to boost most homeowner tax bills between 3 to 4 percent.
CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the city staff budget recommendation with projected impact on residential, commercial and industrial properties.
The higher property assessments will provide the city with an additional $927,000 in revenues, which would be spent on debt service, health/liability insurance, police/fire pensions and pay increases for city staff.
In addition to the property tax increase, residents would see a 3 percent hike in garbage fees under the proposed budget. For residents using the smallest 32-gallon containers (picked up weekly), the annual fee would increase from $108.24 to $111.48. The rate for the 64-gallon cart would increase from $144.24 a year to $148.56.
Other recommendations to be discussed at the city council budget workshop (8 a.m., Saturday Feb. 12) at city hall and a public information session (6:30 p.m., Wed., Feb. 23) include:
- An early retirement offer for long-term department and division managers that would eliminate a projected $150,000 shortfall in the general fund.
- Temporarily shelving of the fire department's request to add three more full-time firefighters as part of a 10-year upgrade of departmental staffing begun three years ago.
- Taking a wait-and-see position on Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad's recommendation to reduce commercial property tax rates. The proposal would take a large bite out of the city's anticipated tax revenues.
CLICK HERE to download recommended spending plan for gambling and sales tax revenues.
CLICK HERE to download recommended spending plan for city's general fund by line item.
CLICK HERE to download recommended spending plan for city's enterprise funds.
