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City manager warns state bills could curb franchise fees; describes confusing tax-notice language
Summary
Decorah City Manager Travis told council about pending state legislation that could ban municipal franchise fees and described a county notice that mischaracterizes the city's proposed 2026 property-tax impact for typical residential and commercial assessments.
City Manager Travis briefed the Decorah City Council Monday on several pending state bills that could affect municipal budgets and described a required county notice for the city’s proposed fiscal 2026 property-tax levy that, he said, misrepresents how property taxes work.
Travis told the council that Senate Study Bill 1181 would “prohibit the collection of franchise fees” and, if enacted, take effect July 1, 2025. He said the change would not prevent franchise agreements for right-of-way use but would bar cities and counties from collecting franchise fees under those agreements.
Travis also…
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