One on FY26 budget, one to issue $2M in bonds
The Jefferson city council set a pair of public hearings at its Feb. 11 regular meeting. A hearing to levy the maximum property tax is slated for Tuesday, April 1, at 5:30 pm. That will be a special meeting for the council
City administrator Scott Peterson reported to the council that before the decrease in assessment of Wild Rose Casino total valuation in the city showed an increase of 2.6 percent. The assessment was decreased from $20.7 million to $18.1 million as a settlement in lieu of arguing the assessment before the state Property Assessment Appeals Board. With the reduction the city saw negative net growth. The lower valuation decreased Jefferson valuations by 3 percent, Peterson said.
The draft city budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025, presented to the budget last month, used the $20.7 million valuation for the casino. Peterson said the assessor and county staff did not notify him of the challenge.
The levy will remain at $14.88 (per $1,000 in taxable valuation). Adjustments have been made elsewhere in the budget.
The council set a public hearing for the Feb. 25 regular meeting on the issuance of $2 million in general obligation debt to fund projects in the community improvement plan. The funds will be used to resurface McKinley St; for sidewalk projects on Westwood Drive and W. Lincoln Way; and to purchase a firetruck chassis.
The council approved the purchase of a new pumper truck for the Jefferson fire department. Total cost of the truck is $420,498. The truck will replace an older pumper truck that no longer passes state certification.
The city will pay $116,000 for the chassis next year, and the remainder when the truck is delivered.
The townships served by the Jefferson fire department will pay 38 percent of the truck. The council approved a proclamation naming March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month after a short presentation by Dorinda Wehde of New Opportunities. The theme for the month is “Seeking Understanding.”
