by Mari Radtke
Barely a quorum were able to attend the special meetings of the Marcus Council on Monday April 1. Two special meetings were held. The first was a public hearing for public comments for the proposed city budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year (FY 25). Following opening ceremonies City Clerk Robin Harvey shared the information. She compared the current valuation and rate if the city were operating under the old formulas. Then she shared the same information under the new Iowa property tax law.
The new tax law limits the growth of taxable valuation on property and uses a formula to also compress the levy rate. Because the state’s form does not give valuation increase to its comparison, state officials are recommending that line not be given validity.
The city’s new tax rate per $1000 of taxable value is expected to be $10.5763 to meet the city’s needs and comply with the forced cuts.
No comments were received, written or in person. Council approved passage of the budget and adjourned.
Fifteen minutes later, Council opened its second special meeting. A resolution to set the date for the second budget public hearing was approved by Council. The public gets a second chance to make comments or ask questions of the budget and taxes. The city also gets a second chance to make amendments to the budget. The second and final budget public hearing is set for Monday April 22 at 5:00pm at City Hall.
Police Chief Brian Flikead attended. He asked Council for approval to make an employment offer to a certified police officer working in the area currently. He explained she holds to part time law enforcement positions and is relatively new. He explained she would probably benefit from some additional training and some equipment upgrades. He felt those things were not outside of the police departments current budget. Approval to make the employment offer was granted.
Tanner Cronin, a Marcus utility staff member passed two water tests. Each test passed was agreed to come with a twenty-five cent per hour raise. The fifty cents per hour earned was approved by Council. It was reported that he has applied to take two more tests which would give him a Water II license.
Council adjourned. The regular meeting is Monday April 8 at 5:00pm.