Chief Financial Officer Deb Nawrocki read required Truth in Taxation disclosures at the start of the public hearing on the city’s proposed property tax levy. She said corporate and special-purpose property taxes extended in 2024 totaled $55,983,629 and the proposed 2025 corporate and special-purpose amount is $63,648,790 (a 13.7% increase). The proposed total levy for 2025 is $65,611,940, a 13.2% increase over 2024.

A member of the public asked whether the council had considered a sliding income scale for property taxes or increased taxes on certain downtown property owners acting as landlords; staff said the county, not the city, extends and administers property taxes and that a sliding scale would be beyond the city’s authority. With no further speakers at the podium, the mayor closed the public hearing.

Council members later discussed the overall budget and acknowledged that raising the levy is difficult but necessary to address pension obligations, lead-service line replacement and other rising costs. Council members commended finance staff for budget stewardship and staff for pursuing grant and loan programs to offset costs. The council appeared prepared to move forward with the levy certification as allowed by the Truth in Taxation process.

Next steps: formal adoption of the levy will follow required notice and certification to the county clerk.