RIVERSIDE

Proposals for Riverside’s tax levels in Fiscal Year 2026 will see the property tax levy increasing by 16 cents per $1,000 of assessed property.

Details of the tax levy were presented to the Riverside City Council during its regularly scheduled meeting. The City Council set a public hearing for FY26 taxes for April 7, at which time the board will vote on adoption of the rate.

Property tax levies are determined through state code and are linked to property valuations. They are used to help set the city’s budgetary needs. A public hearing for the city’s proposed budget is likely to be set for April 21.

The FY25 tax levy is $7.94118 per $1,000 of assessed value. The proposed FY26 rate is $8.10.

The new fiscal year begins July 1.

Trek Fest & Museum Grants

The City Council approved hotel/motel grants of $25,000 to the Riverside Area Community Club (RACC) for Trek Fest 2025 and $22,000 to the Voyage Home Museum.

Trek Fest, which will be held June 26 through 28, will feature appearances by Dominic Keating and Connor Trinneer, actors in the Star Trek: Enterprise TV series that aired from 2001 to 2005.

The annual Trek Fest parade is scheduled for June 28. Most of the Trek Fest events will take place at Hall Park.

The Voyage Home Museum used its funds from the city to cover its rental charges. The museum is located along Highway 22 on the east side of downtown, and is open noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Projects Awarded

The City Council, following public hearings Monday, awarded a pair of improvement projects totaling more than $460,000.

Jones Contracting Corp., of West Point, was the winning bidder on the Cherry Lane Extension project near Highland Elementary School. The bid was $247,887 for a project that will begin in June, after the completion of the 2024-25 school year.

Bowker Pinnacle Mechanical, of Cedar Rapids, was the winning bidder on the Hall Park pickleball courts project. The bid was $216,192 for the construction of three pickleball courts that will be located on the north side of the park. Construction will begin in July, after Trek Fest, and is expected to be completed by September.

There was no public comment in the public hearings.

Council Action

The Council approved a contract with Goerdt Inspections and Consultation Services, of Tipton, for conducting building inspections.

The Council authorized City Administrator Cole Smith to work with Washington County on the relocation of severe weather sirens to Veterans Park, across Highway 22 from the fire station, and the area near the city’s wastewater plant.

The Council heard an annual report from Riverside Fire Department Chief Chad Smothers. The department will host a fundraising pancake breakfast April 13.

Next board meeting: The City Council’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 6 p.m. March 17.