City Expenses Report
Cities incur expenses to pay for city services. Some of these services are mandated by state or federal government, or legal precedent (such as staffing the city clerk role, provision of public safety, certain employee benefits). Others are services that contribute to quality of life, attracting residents, and meeting public demands.
Overall, public safety is the largest category of expenditure. The largest category for small communities is typically personnel.
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Property Tax Assessment in Iowa
The property tax assessment process in Iowa is a complex state regulated system, prescribed in Iowa Code. Cities do not control this process. In fact, assessments are a completely separate process completed by assessors with the goal of establishing equitable, fair market value. As such, assessments are separate from local revenue needs. Property tax rates are determined after cities determine revenue needs for providing local services.
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FY23 City General Fund Revenues and Expenditures
Examining city general fund revenues and expenditures can provide important information to help officials in local decision-making. A general fund is the primary fund used by the city government. This fund is used to track all revenues and spending that are not identified for specific purposes. It is critical to track the general fund revenues and expenditures as they are associated with many day-to-day administrative and operational activities of a city. This brief report provides a breakdown of city revenues and expenditures in cities across Iowa, in aggregate, by population ranges, and by individual community.
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