Why is the City asking for an additional $276,760 when the City continues to reconstruct roads, purchase police, fire, and street equipment, and construct new park facilities?

The City is able to leverage low interest loans for these types of projects making the City’s annual “mortgage” payment lower and affordable for our residents.  These loans are paid through the debt service portion of the property tax levy.

 

Unlike payments for debt service, the property tax levy for ongoing operational expenses are subject to levy limits that can only be exceeded through approval by referendum.  These operational expenses include the day-to-day expenses that are required to ensure service to the community, including facility costs, facility expenses – such as fuel and utilities, personnel cost, liability, property, and worker’s compensation insurance, and many others.

 

Since 2016, inflation has increased by nearly 35%, while the City’s tax levy, because of state-imposed limits, only increased 11.62%.