Sioux City council adopts lower property tax levy for fiscal year 2627

The Sioux City Council approved a hearing resolution adopting a reduced property tax levy for fiscal year 2627 following a staff presentation and a 4 to 0 roll-call vote.

Presenter (S4) told the council the city had initially proposed a levy of 15.59 and that the maximum levy noticed to citizens was 15.89798, but after final calculations “the actual levy will be 15.51392.” The presenter estimated that the change represents about a $113 decrease for a homeowner with $100,000 in taxable value and a $399 decrease for a commercial property assessed at $300,000. The presenter also noted the 10-year average levy is 15.7786 and said the city’s final rate is below that average.

Council member (S3) asked about how inflation comparisons should be handled; the presenter said rollback rules make direct inflation comparisons difficult and that the rollback can either raise or lower the effective levy in different years. A separate council member (S5) used the discussion to urge other local taxing authorities to reduce spending, saying, “we as the city have done our our share.” That remark was presented as political context and not a formal directive from the council.

Chair (S2) moved the hearing resolution, which was seconded by Council member (S3). The clerk conducted the electronic roll call; Councilmembers Bertrand, Shaner, Scott and Berenstain voted “Aye.” One member, referred to in the record as “Ike,” was absent. The motion passed 4 to 0.

Presenter and other council members thanked finance staff for their work preparing the levy and supporting materials; the presenter offered to distribute the presentation slides to members of the media on request. The council adjourned after the vote.

The hearing adopted the proposed levy rate; no additional amendments, conditions or follow-up deadlines were recorded in the meeting transcript.