Fairfield council proposes levy increase of 5.8 percent

FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield City Council invites the public to attend a series of meetings in the coming weeks about its tax levy and budget.

The council will hold a public hearing on its proposed tax levy at noon on Monday, March 31 in the council chambers at city hall. Two weeks later on Monday, April 14, the council will move to the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center for a full review of its budget beginning at 8:30 a.m. until noon, followed by questions from the public. The council will hold another public hearing on the budget that night at 7 p.m. during its regular meeting, and could vote to approve the budget.

The city plans to increase its tax levy from about $16.69 per $1,000 taxable valuation to $17.65, an increase of 5.8 percent. Fairfield City Administrator Doug Reinert said there are many reasons for the increase, but some of the most significant expenses include paying for the recently completed Highway 1 improvements, plus borrowing for future expenses like the new fire station and infrastructure for the Sunrise Trail Subdivision planned west of the Jefferson County Health Center.

Reinert said he wants the public to know city staff do all they can to trim budgets whenever possible to keep the city running efficiently. He added that requirements from the state legislature have also prevented the city from filling positions it wants to, such as an administrative assistant in the police department, more police officers, a planning and zoning director, a utility billing clerk and vacancies in the parks department.

Those interested in learning the minute details of the city’s finances should attend the budget presentation on the morning of April 14, because Reinert said the city’s department heads will explain every item in their budget.

“They’ll be able to see what we’re spending the money on,” he said.

Reinert said the council chose to hold the budget presentation on a Monday to avoid overtime, since so many city staffers were going to be present, and because it was a day that worked for all the council members.

Fairfield’s operating budget for next fiscal year is proposed at about $36,931,000, with revenues estimated at $37,211,000, a difference of about $280,000. Reinert said that is a small margin, and one that doesn’t leave the city much room for large unforeseen expenses.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com