New Prague Council Adopts 2025 Budget and $5.31 Million Levy; Tax Rate Set at 10.13%

The New Prague City Council adopted the 2025 budget and approved a property tax levy of $5,313,585, which staff said corresponds to a final tax rate of 10.13%, payable in 2025.

Unidentified staff introduced Resolution 20‑4‑12‑16‑01 to adopt the budget and described revenue and expense lines, including a $40,000 state/county grant revenue line to pay for Fire Department radios. After brief council questions, the council approved the resolution by voice vote.

On the levy, staff presented Resolution 20‑4‑12‑16‑03 and confirmed the adopted percentage when asked. Councilmember Wolf had requested that future resolutions explicitly list both the dollar levy and the percentage so taxpayers can readily see the rate; staff said they will consider adding the percentage to future draft resolutions.

Council also adopted a new fee schedule effective Jan. 1, 2025, which includes a local registration fee for THC/cannabis registrations set to the statutory/local limit, a new lawn‑sprinkler permit review fee, and retention of an existing $500 road‑surface deposit that staff said will be retitled to include sidewalks. Staff said the city will stop routinely printing some publications and instead make them available online; accommodations can be made for residents without Internet access.

Staff clarified that recent increases in miscellaneous revenue and government‑building expenses are driven by insurance proceeds and the cost of approved roof repairs: "That revenue is high because of insurance money. The expenses are high because of the cost to do that," staff said in an emailed clarification read into the record.

What happens next: the budget and levy take effect according to the city's budget calendar; staff will prepare any follow‑up documentation and incorporate council input on how future resolutions present percentage rates.