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Independence council approves preliminary 2025 levy, sets Dec. 3 truth-in-taxation hearing
Summary
The Independence City Council voted 5-0 to adopt preliminary resolutions establishing the city’s 2025 general/debt service levy and a Pioneer Sarah Creek Watershed levy and set a Dec. 3 public hearing; city staff said the proposal funds policing, rising street work and a placeholder for gravel-road projects.
The Independence City Council on Sept. 17 approved preliminary resolutions establishing the city’s 2025 general and debt service tax levy and the Pioneer Sarah Creek Watershed levy and set a Truth in Taxation public hearing for Dec. 3, voting 5-0.
City Administrator Mark Kaltsas told the council the preliminary levy "establishes a ceiling for budget but can reduce it moving forward but cannot raise it," and outlined the budget drivers behind that ceiling. He said the operating levy proposal represents a 6.73% year-over-year increase — roughly $258,000 on an approximate $4 million city budget — and that property taxes account for about 88% of general-fund revenue.
Kaltsas said policing and fire together make up roughly half of the city’s expenditures, and that street work is the next-largest cost center. He highlighted a new intergovernmental revenue line of $103,550 for the Small Cities Road Fund, said streets spending rose about 30% in the proposal, and described a placeholder for a gravel-roads project within a proposed five-year road plan.
"We have been efficient in providing services to our residents," Kaltsas said, and he noted the council has kept the tax rate flat in recent years; he added that the city’s tax rate has fallen about 10% over the last decade. The preliminary levy must be set by Sept. 30; the council may lower but not increase the levy before final adoption.
Councilor Betts moved to adopt RESOLUTION NO. 24-0917-01 (establishing the general and debt service preliminary tax levy and setting the Dec. 3 Truth in Taxation meeting at 6:00 p.m.), and Councilor McCoy seconded. The motion passed unanimously: Mayor Johnson and Councilors Spencer, Betts, McCoy and Grotting voted aye.
The council also approved RESOLUTION NO. 24-0917-02 establishing the Pioneer Sarah Creek Watershed preliminary levy. Mayor Johnson explained the watershed commission funds work to protect water quality in lakes such as Independence and Sarah and clarified the levy applies only to residents within that watershed district. Motion by Spencer, second by Grotting; vote 5-0.
Next steps: the council will hold the Truth in Taxation public hearing on Dec. 3, after which it may adopt a final levy at a later meeting. The levy adopted tonight is the statutory preliminary ceiling only.
