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Clinton City Council adopts proposed property tax levy after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing where two residents questioned rising bills and veterans'exemption processing, the Clinton City Council approved a resolution adopting the city'portion of the property tax levy for fiscal year 07/01/2025'''06/30/2026 by unanimous roll call.
The Clinton City Council on Monday approved a resolution adopting the city'portion of the proposed property tax levy for fiscal year 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2026 after a public hearing during a special meeting.
Two residents addressed the hearing, pressing the council for clarity about rising tax bills and how exemptions are processed. Randall Erskine, a homeowner on North 11th Street, said he recently moved to the area and questioned how tax dollars are being used: "I don't understand where the tax basis is and where does my money go when I do pay it?" James Longside, who identified himself as a combat veteran and a 100% disabled veteran, said his annual property tax bill is "just south of $9,000 a year" and said he was frustrated that his veterans' exemption had not been applied to his current home after he bought it July 13, 2023.
Council members and staff responded that the council only controls the city portion of the overall property tax bill, which is split among the city, the county and the school district. A presiding official explained that the city portion of the levy is proposed to drop by a penny this year and that "$15.27 is what our proposed tax levy is going to." The council also noted broader state-level "rollback" changes affect property tax percentages reported to homeowners.
A council member who identified himself as a veteran told Longside he would help follow up with county staff to resolve the veterans-exemption issue, saying, "we'd probably get offline ... I'd be willing to help you out." City staff indicated the county processes veterans' exemptions and offered to coordinate next steps.
After closing the public hearing with no other speakers, Council member Obren moved to adopt the resolution; a second was recorded. The council approved the resolution on a roll-call vote: Yes votes from Council members Schimmers, Sealy, Davis, Obren, Musman and Kerns. No votes, abstentions and recusals were not recorded.
The council emphasized that questions about school-district levies and school-related fees (for example, admissions to some school athletic events) fall under the school district's purview; the meeting record notes the school district held a separate public hearing the previous evening. The city clerk reported no remote participants addressed the hearing.
The council adjourned the special meeting and prepared to convene its regular meeting.
