Kalona sets public hearing of 2014-15 budget

The Kalona City Council Monday night set a public hearing on the proposed 2014-15 fiscal year budget for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3.

The property tax asking will be increased from $9.60810 per $1,000 taxable valuation in the current fiscal year to $9.61929 per $1,000 taxable valuation in the 2014-15 budget year, an increase of $0.011/$1,000 valuation or a 0.0012% increase, City administrator Ryan Schlabaugh pointed out.

Since the property valuations have increased, the total amount projected to be raised by taxes is $855,498 as compared to $743,966 budgeted in the current fiscal year. That is an increase of $111,472 for the next fiscal year.

Actual taxes collected the current fiscal year was $775,524 due to increases in property values.

See the official public hearing notice on page 3B of this issue of the Kalona News.

Total expenditures are projected at $3,187,431.

City Clerk Karen Christner explained that the city had to dip into reserves because WCRF had made two payments of $211,000 for the downtown street improvements project grant in fiscal 2013-14. The second $211,000 payment was deposited in the reserve account so those funds have to be retrieved from the reserve fund next fiscal year.

Schlabaugh explained that the budget does include hiring a general laborer (at up to $15 an hour) to the public works department. The budget projects a $32,870 increase in streets salaries or a 44% increase to help cover salary and other city benefits.

Capital Improvements

In addition to setting a hearing for the budget, the council gave approval for a Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). Schlabaugh said he would still need council approval before proceeding with each project, but approval of the plan allows him to start getting quotes and rough project costs.

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Kalona sets public hearing of 2014-15 budget