Jefferson council adopts 2025 budgets and sets 2024 levy for 2025 collection

The City of Jefferson Common Council on Nov. 19 adopted the 2025 General Fund and related special fund and utility budgets and approved the 2024 property tax levies that will fund 2025 services.

Finance Director and Treasurer Stewart presented the FY2025 budget materials and the council held the scheduled public hearing process before taking action. Resolution No. 75 adopted the 2025 General Fund budget and the budgets for special funds, the public library, recycling/refuse, capital project and equipment, the storm sewer utility, the water utility, TIF and the wastewater utility. Ald. Tully introduced the resolution; Ald. Mattke seconded, and the motion carried unanimously on roll call.

Separately, Resolution No. 76 established the 2024 levy amounts to fund 2025 services: $3,715,850 for the General Fund municipal services, $532,575 for the Public Library fund and $516,050 for the Capital Project and Equipment Fund. The resolution also includes $500,000 from the Public Safety Referendum to offset Fire and EMS expenses. The council adopted a tax rate recorded in the minutes as 7.034059939. Ald. Beyer introduced the levy resolution; Ald. Mattke seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

During the meeting Mayor Oppermann called the roll and noted Ald. Larson was absent. Utility Director Clark provided a brief public-participation update on recently completed road resurfacing projects earlier in the agenda; no public speaker testimony is recorded in the meeting minutes.

The budget and levy votes were recorded as unanimous. The council’s action completes local adoption steps for the city budgets and levy; the adopted budgets and levy will be implemented per municipal procedure and applicable state law.