RIVERSIDE

Planning for the 2025 fiscal year began on the second day of the new year for the Riverside City Council.

During the Council’s Jan. 2 session, City Manager Cole Smith laid out a scheduling plan for the Council that includes public hearings for the FY25 tax rates in March and the FY25 city budget in April.

Budget work sessions are scheduled for Jan. 29 and Feb. 12.

The FY25 budget must be approved by the end of April, per state of Iowa code.

Smith told The News that the general fund tax rate for FY25 will be $8.10, the same as FY24.

Mayor Pro Tem

Tom Sexton was re-appointed Mayor Pro Tem by Mayor Allen Schneider, and it was approved by the City Council.

Sexton was also Mayor Pro Tem in 2023, running the Council meetings as Mayor when Schneider was not in attendance.

Also taking his seat for the first time at the Jan. 2 session was new Council Person Ryan Rogerson. He was voted into a four-year term in November, replacing former Council Person Edgar McGuire.

Boat Ramp Hearing

The City Council set a public hearing for Jan. 16 in association with an upcoming bid process for improvements at the Riverside Boat Ramp.

The first phase of the project will include removal of some trees and other clearing, installation of a new storm sewer and new signage.

The public hearing will be a part of the Council’s regularly scheduled 6 p.m. meeting Jan. 16.

Council Actions

The Council approved a payment of $34,912 to Bowker Pinnacle Mechanical for work completed at the city’s water treatment plant.

The Council approved a proposal from Altorfer CAT of Cedar Rapids, totaling more than $14,000, for the repair of several generators.

The Council waived review of the plat of survey for a Stumpf Construction project that Washington County is considering.

Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. Jan. 16.