KALONA

As newly required by state law, the Kalona City Council held dual sessions Monday night, the first a public hearing for the proposed property tax levy for FY24-25, the second their regular meeting.

Kalona’s proposed property tax levy for FY24-25 is $10.37, essentially the same as that for the current fiscal year.

No verbal comments were made during the April 1 public hearing, although City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh noted that residents had contacted the city with questions about the School, County and City Budget Year Statement sent to owners and taxpayers in recent weeks.

He explained that although the city’s millage will stay the same, last year’s state tax reform should provide taxpayers with “some relief.” For a $200,000 home in Kalona, for example, a taxpayer would pay $494 less in the coming year due to reductions in city, school district, and county taxes combined.

In their regular meeting, the council approved a chicken application for a 10th Street residence, a liquor license for Kalona Brewing Company, and road closures for the Kalona Horseshoe cycling race on May 11.

The council also waived the right to review a parcel split for a Highway 22 farm east of town.

Kalona received a Washington County Riverboat Foundation quarterly municipal grant of $54,794.08; the city will send a letter to the foundation thanking them for their contribution.

The Kalona City Council will next meet on Monday, April 15 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. A public hearing for the FY24-25 budget will be held at this time, in addition to the regular meeting.