RIVERSIDE

The Riverside City Council has approved a maximum property tax levy rate of $8.10 for Fiscal Year 2024, which begins July 1.

That is the same maximum tax levy that is in place this year.

The board held a public hearing at its Feb. 21 meeting, then approved the tax levy in a resolution by unanimous vote. Setting the tax levy is one step in the budgeting process for FY24, which has now been backed up to April 30 instead of March 31 due to recent state legislation.

Because of the extra time allowed for budgeting, Mayor Allen Schneider said the council may schedule a work session in March for more budgeting discussion. A public hearing on a proposed city budget will be held at a later date.

The maximum tax rate of 8.10 means $8.10 would be owed for each $1,000 of property. The actual rate, determined by the final budget, will fall between 8.07 and 8.10.

Valuation in the city has increased from $114 million to $114.4 million.

Camp Highland

Camp Highland, a summer camp run by the YMCA for mostly Riverside and Ainsworth youth, is headed for an expanded regional change next summer.

Camp officials asked for $15,000 in funding from the Riverside City Council, and instead were granted $10,000. Now the camp may turn into more of a regional summer program, with Riverside, Wellman and Kalona each providing $5,000 for a day camp that would operate at the Kalona YMCA Rec Center and be centrally located for youth from Riverside, Kalona and Wellman.

“I like to see three communities working together,” said Council Person Kevin Kiene.

Council Person Lois Schneider wondered about the new venue, though.

“I don’t see it as being convenient for Riverside people to go to Kalona,” she said.

The board is scheduled to formally vote on the $5,000 funding request at its March 6 meeting.

Council action

The Council approved a $25,968 agreement with Cahoy Pump Service of Sumner for repair work on Well No. 8, and a $6,837 agreement with Mellen & Associates of Council Bluffs for an actuator.

The Council approved a $9,181.53 agreement with Summit Fire Protection of Iowa City for backflow preventers repair work at the city’s water and wastewater plants.

The Council approved a Fiscal Year 2024 agreement with Kalona Public Library for $24,453 so that Riverside residents can use all services at the library.

The Council tabled a decision on a sewer services contract, pending more details from CIT Sewer Solutions of McCallsburg and Visu-Sewer of Mason City.

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