Whoops! The Courier got it wrong...

Have you heard the news? The La Porte City Council lowered the tax levy for the fifth straight year. We shared this news with the Waterloo / Cedar Falls Courier newspaper and this is the headline they chose.


As a council person I am rather displeased with this decision. And although my blog cannot erase their mistake, let me at least share the press release sent by the City to The Courier. The read and true article should read as follows...



La Porte City Approves Budget with No Increase in Levy

At its February 28th meeting, the La Porte City Council unanimously approved the budget for fiscal year 2012.  The City’s levy rate will decrease slightly, from $14.53 per $1,000 valuation in fiscal year 2011 to $14.51 per $1000 for fiscal year 2012.
Mayor Rick Lubben commented, “I am pleased with the efforts of the City administration and the members of the City Council in producing a budget which lowers the levy and attempts to minimize the impact of any increase in property valuations.”  
Estimates show the city will collect $780,085 in property taxes next fiscal year, a 3.68% increase from the previous year. While overall property valuations decreased slightly, the state rollback for residential properties increased from 46.9% to 48.5%.  As a result, City taxes on a $100,000 home will increase $22.00 to $703 per year.

Just thought I should set the record straight...
Thanks Jane for preparing the write-up!

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