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Norwalk City council approves property tax levy, keeps overall rate at 14.88 per $1,000
Summary
Norwalk City Council approved a resolution at a special meeting to maintain the city's combined property-tax rate at 14.88 per $1,000, adjusting levy components for general operations, insurance, employee-benefit levies and debt service. Staff warned homeowners that rising property-insurance costs can still increase mortgage escrow payments.
Norwalk City Council voted to approve a resolution keeping the city's combined property-tax levy at 14.88 per $1,000 during a special meeting and public hearing.
Jean, the staff presenter, said the city is "maintaining the the rate at 14.88 per thousand." She told the council that the change reflects statutory requirements from House File 718 and an intentional decision by staff to include the debt-service levy in the public presentation to reduce confusion.
Jean outlined how the levy is distributed: the general-fund rate falls by about 22 cents; liability and property-insurance levies rise by just over a penny; the special-revenue levy for employee benefits rises by roughly 4 cents (which Jean attributed to wage-driven employer costs); and the debt-service levy increases by 16 cents to "357 per thousand," as presented to the council.
Providing historical context, Jean said the city's rate was $15.40 per $1,000 in 2018 and that the current 14.88 rate reflects annual reductions and the limits imposed by state rollback rules under House File 718. She said the statute has effectively reduced allowable revenue growth by about 3% per year in recent years.
Jean also explained that even when the city holds its levy rate, homeowners can see larger mortgage payments because insurance and escrow amounts are set by insurers and lenders. Citing regional and national insurance trends, she said property-insurance costs have risen sharply in recent years and gave examples: a $375,000 home had an average property-insurance premium of about $2,389 in 2022 and an estimated $3,765 in 2026, per the materials she presented.
Kaylin, the staff member who called the roll, reported one written public comment from Chad Ross of 518 West Pine Avenue asking the council to pursue cutbacks before raising property taxes; Jean noted the comment was included in the meeting packet. No members of the public offered oral comments and the hearing was closed.
Councilmember Per moved to approve the resolution "as presented," and Councilmember Micki seconded the motion. During roll call multiple members answered in the affirmative and the chair declared the motion carries. The council adjourned immediately after the vote.
The resolution approves the city's proposed levies, as presented to the council. The council did not take further amendments or direct staff to return with alternate levy scenarios at the meeting.
