Ames council offers phased tax transition to encourage annexation of Irons subdivision and Ames Golf & Country Club; orders study of sewer timing and financing

The City Council voted to offer a phased transition of the city portion of property taxes to owners in the Irons subdivision and Ames Golf & Country Club as an incentive to accept voluntary annexation and to begin the annexation process. The motion approved an offer of a three-year transition in which the city tax rate for qualifying properties would be phased in (75% abated in year one; 50% in year two; 25% in year three), with school and county levies unaffected.

Why it mattered to residents: Multiple residents of Irons Way and Irons Court told the council they oppose near-term annexation because their septic systems are new and functioning, and because the anticipated one-time cost to connect to city sanitary sewer could be substantial. Dr. Randy Braden (resident, 5407 Irons Way) said he could not “see an advantage” to annexation for existing residents and raised concern about a projected…