Facing a projected $912,000 budget deficit in coming year, Bettendorf officials recommend 10% increase in residential property taxes

Calling it a "perfect storm" that created a $912,000 projected budget shortfall, Bettendorf city officials are recommending the council hike property taxes 10 percent in the coming year, plus increase stormwater fees 8.5 percent, sewer fees 7 percent and solid waste fees 5 percent.

The increase in property tax would mean the average resident with a home assessed at $215,000 would pay approximately $147 more annually. The higher sewer, stormwater and solid waste fees for an average user of those services would see an approximate annual increase of $31.

The above chart outlines why city officials project a $912,000 budget shortfall in the coming fiscal year.

The council is expected to finalize the new budget at its Tuesday (2/20) meeting and set a public meeting on the plan for Wednesday (2/21) at the Bettendorf Public Library Information Center. A public hearing and final adoption of the 2018-19 budget is scheduled for the council's regular meeting Tuesday, March 6.

Here is a recap of the options given the city council to offset the projected budget deficit:

And, here are some "non-essential" general fund cuts considered by the council at its budget meetings:

CLICK HERE to download the latest proposed 2018-19 city budget. (The file is very large may take a minute to download.)