Walnut Grove officials propose lower property tax rate, set public meeting for July 24

Walnut Grove city leaders told the council they plan to lower the property tax rate from 4.831 to 4.1 and will hold a public meeting on Thursday, July 24, at 6 p.m. to meet state notification requirements. City staff said the change follows budget cuts and an estimated net digest of roughly $81,000,000 for the jurisdiction.

City staff explained the council will collect about $332,000 in property tax for the year under the proposed rate and that the city will cover residential garbage collection from July 1 through Dec. 31 before residents resume responsibility Jan. 1. The council was told the city intends to award an exclusive contract to Southern Sanitation for collection services to keep costs down.

The staff presentation said the city will publish the five-year tax-levy history in local newspapers and on the city’s website at least one week before the call meeting, satisfying the state requirement for an advertised public meeting when a jurisdiction lowers its tax rate. City staff also said county financial offices must receive final rate information by Aug. 1.

Council members discussed the timing and the effect on residents. One council member said lowering the rate now creates a lower baseline if other upcoming ballot issues raise city costs later in the year. Another asked how the change would affect households; staff said exact household impacts depend on each property’s assessed value and will be detailed in the statutorily required notice.

The council did not take a final vote on the tax rate during the meeting; staff scheduled the July 24 call meeting for the official action and public comment required by state law.

City staff contact details and the formal public notice will appear on the city website and in the next printed legal advertisement, the staff said.