The new Scott County Emergency Communications Center, a smaller residential tax assessment rollback by the state and more bonds (debt) to fix city streets will mean a property tax increase for Bettendorf residential property owners of more than 20 percent in the coming year.
The county projects the construction and operation of the new $8-million emergency communications center will up taxes nearly 20 percent in the coming 2011 fiscal year for most residential property owners. CLICK HERE to download Scott County budget recommendation.
Meanwhile, city officials report the smaller residential rollback (set by the state) will increase property assessments and tax receipts 2.9 percent in the new 2010-2011 budget.
In addition, the city does not plan to lower the amount of its tax levy to fully reflect its reduction in costs from turning emergency dispatching over to the county. Instead, the city is planning to use a portion of those taxes to fund more general obligation bonds (debt levy) to pay for street improvements.
The current city tax rate of $12.85 per $1,000 assessed valuation will remain the same under the proposed budget, but the taxes previously used for emergency dispatch operation (general fund) will be moved to cover additional bonds (debt levy) to be issued for street improvements. CLICK HERE to download Bettendorf budget recommendation.
A public meeting on the proposed city budget will be held at 6:30 p.m., Wed., February 24 at Bettendorf City Hall, 1609 State Street.
