Bettendorf holds first public hearing on $134 million FY26-27 budget; no public comments

Bettendorf City held a special council public hearing on April 7 to review the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget and property tax levy. Finance Director Jason Chat told the council the FY26‑27 budget is about $134,000,000 and that the city is using valuation growth to preserve current service levels while funding one‑time public safety purchases.

"The FY 26-27 budget is about $134,000,000," said Jason Chat, director of finance. He said the proposed spending uses valuation growth to maintain services and fund one‑time items such as public safety equipment and a fire boat.

Chat outlined several cost pressures built into the proposal, including multi‑year labor contract increases, liability insurance that has risen substantially over the past decade, and health insurance costs expected to be roughly 9% higher next year. He also noted the expiration of a SAFER grant that currently pays for six firefighters; that grant ends in March 2027 and the city will assume those personnel costs thereafter.

The budget would fund a mix of capital and program changes the administration recommended. Chat listed new or expanded items including increased support for animal control, funding for a youth assessment program, police drone first‑responder equipment, and life‑saving fire equipment. "This boat is over $600,000 and our portion of the purchase will be about $157,000," Chat said.

On debt and levies, Chat said the city has issued roughly $10,000,000 of an authorized up-to-$27,000,000 borrowing for the voter‑approved police station. That borrowing produced a 22¢ increase to the debt service levy, offset in part by a 5¢ reduction for other debt service, for a net 17¢ increase. He said the proposed total levy would be $13.33, up from $13.11, with most of the change tied to the police station referendum debt service.

Chat also called out utility and fee changes that affect household budgets. He said sewer rates would rise by about 7% to cover Bettendorf’s share of major wastewater treatment plant projects shared with Davenport, Panorama Park and Riverdale (about $30,000,000 in planned improvements, with Bettendorf approximately a 20–21% owner). Stormwater billing would increase from $5.90 to $6.00 per ERU per month, and solid waste fees would rise 2%, moving the 65‑gallon cart rate to $19.26 per month. Chat estimated the combined effect of taxes and fees would raise the typical Bettendorf homeowner’s annual cost by about $208 (roughly $17 per month), with a $176 increase on the property tax bill for the mean-valued home under the proposed budget.

Using a comparative chart, Chat said Bettendorf remains toward the lower end among peers: third‑lowest for operational taxes among a group of 24 cities with populations of 23,000 or more and about seventh‑lowest when taxes and fees are combined. He reviewed the budget calendar and noted this was the first of two required public hearings; the second is scheduled for April 21, after which council will consider adoption.

The mayor confirmed public notice had been published and that staff had an affidavit of publication; no written correspondence had been received. The mayor opened the public hearing and invited attendees to step to the podium, state their name and address, and speak. Although the attendance was larger than usual, no one spoke during the public comment period. The mayor closed the hearing; council members moved and seconded to adjourn, and the meeting recessed until 7:00 p.m. Staff remained available afterward to answer questions.

Next steps: the council will hold a second public hearing on April 21 before taking up adoption of the FY26‑27 budget.