Council sets tax rate at $16 per $1,000 of valuation

The Marshalltown city council officially approved the certified budget and tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year by a 6-1 vote after a public hearing during Monday night's regular meeting, setting the levy at $16 per $1,000 of valuation, a 64 cent increase from the current rate of $15.36.

Three individuals, all of whom were opposed to the tax hike, spoke up during the public hearing. Mark Eaton cited inflation and increased property valuations as reasons not to raise the rate.

"As our properties have gone up, so have our taxes, but yet we want to raise the city's taxes even more. (It's) sort of double dipping," he said.

He also noted that between the city, Marshall County and the Marshalltown Community School District, the combined levy rate has "magically" added up to $41 per $1,000 of valuation over each of the past five years and said he didn't believe the council should raise the rate.

Doris Kinnick then recalled an emotional plea she made against raising taxes at a previous meeting and thanked Councilors Barry Kell, Gary Thompson and Mike Ladehoff for responding to her attempts to reach out to them after contacting all seven of the councilors to discuss the matter.

"I just think that it could be lower than $16," she said.

She said she had listened to Councilor Gabe Isom's case that the rate should be higher to consistently fund city services and projects, but she still hoped the council would reconsider its decision.

Lyle Hineman, the final public commenter, opined that the council needed to do a better job of distinguishing between wants and needs. He also referenced a recent presentation from Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) Executive Director Clarissa Thompson, who reported that nearly one fourth of Marshalltown residents live below the poverty line.

"I still see a problem here. I see that we want to go with wants instead of needs," he said. "I realize that everything has gone up, but each and every one of the property owners have problems also. So I hope you'll reconsider."

City Finance Director Diana Steiner then provided a breakdown of how the increase would affect individual homeowners -- on a $100,000 property, it would mean a hike of $35 per year. She added that the rate would "maintain financial resources for future fiscal years and prevent large tax fluctuations for future fiscal years."

After hearing no further comments from councilors, Mayor Joel Greer closed the public hearing and asked for a motion, which ultimately passed by a 6-1 vote with Thompson opposed.

Early in the meeting, Greer asked for a moment of silence to remember former Marshalltown Police Department Captain Brian Batterson, who died last week at the age of 56.

"I remember him well when the tornado hit. I got to the fire department and he was the guy. He was the guy that people were looking to. He was instrumental in our recovery from that," Greer said. "We're always trying to recruit police officers, and it's hard to replace people like Brian. We just have to keep up our efforts."

In other business, the council:

• Recognized Parks and Recreation Director Geoff Hubbard for winning the Slattery/Trueblood Professional Award from the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association.

• Approved an amendment to the city's stormwater utility rate credit policy. According to Public Works Director Heather Thomas, it would allow homeowners to apply for a reduction in their monthly bill if a portion of a property discharges stormwater outside of city limits. The homeowner would only be charged for what is discharged into city infrastructure and provides for the ability to split a parcel.

Approved an application for the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) lead-based paint hazard reduction program grant. Housing and Community Development Director Michelle Spohnheimer noted that the city has secured over $16 million in federal grants in the 20 years it has participated in the program.

• Approved the FY2023-FY2027 capital improvement plan.

• Approved the conveyance and transfer of the title of city-owned land to Cynthia Lewis at 1021 South Fifth Avenue for $500 by a 6-1 vote, with Jeff Schneider opposed.

• Approved the conveyance and transfer of city owned land to Eleno L. and Marcia A. Hernandez at 107 E. Lincoln for $1.

• Approved the conveyance of two city owned properties -- 503 Bromley St. and 503 Woodbury St. -- to Raymond Jackson after he bid $601 on each parcel.

• Approved the conveyance and transfer of the title for city owned land at 906 S. 11th Ave. to DJ Norem for $100.

• Heard an update on the Strategic Plan for the first quarter of 2023.

• Approved the consent agenda and liquor license renewals as presented.

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Contact Robert Maharry

at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.