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Pleasant Hill council adopts FY2026-27 budget, reallocates transit levy after DART withdrawal
Summary
The Pleasant Hill City Council on April 14 approved the FY2026-27 budget, effective July 1, 2026, reallocating part of the former transit levy into a new city levy after withdrawing from DART and approving the city tax certification by a 5-0 vote.
The Pleasant Hill City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget and city tax certification at its April 14 regular meeting, finalizing the spending plan that takes effect July 1, 2026, and runs through June 30, 2027. Councilmember Len Murray moved to adopt Resolution #041426-01; Councilmember Alyson DeMoss seconded and the measure passed 5-0.
City Manager Ben Champ, during a public hearing, described the final proposal as the product of several months of meetings and said the council elected to withdraw from the Des Moines Area Regional Transit (DART) system. Champ said the action allowed the city to reallocate a portion of the former transit levy ($0.61669) into a new City levy of $12.10 and that the combined rate is $0.01669 lower than prior combined City-authorized levies despite the increase shown on the state-required form. "The Iowa Department of Management provides [a re-estimated column] to help update original budget cashflow projections with more accurate, up-to-date figures based on actual performance to date," Champ said, explaining the re-estimated column shown in budget documents.
During the public hearing, residents thanked staff and council for the budget work and raised suggestions. Resident Mark Swanson thanked staff for preparing the budget. Ray Sears recommended using reserves when possible to help keep property taxes lower. Sam Reed urged the city consider programs to attract and retain residents, including land‑contract options, a clinic to help residents understand property assessments, and legislative relief for cities.
Mayor Sara Kurovski noted the role of county assessors and state law in property valuation, saying, "The Iowa Assessors Offices are primarily responsible for the Assessment and Valuation of Property, including the assessment of property, as outlined in Chapter 441 of the Iowa Code." She said the city has explored programs to support growth but that recent state growth caps have limited some local options.
The council’s vote to adopt the budget was unanimous. The resolution approved the budget and certified the city tax rate as presented to the state; the FY27 budget is effective July 1, 2026.
