( L-R) Mayor Becky Shamburg and Water Superintendent Ryan Smith/Credit: Greg Bebermeyer/MSC News

 

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission is planning a revenue-neutral budget for 2027.

Commissioners voted Monday night to notify the Brown County Clerk of the city's intent to keep the property tax levy at the revenue-neutral rate of 34-point-47 mills. That means the city does not plan to increase the property tax rate next year.

The revenue-neutral rate is the mill levy that generates the same amount of property tax revenue as the previous year, based on the current assessed valuation.

Hiawatha's assessed valuation increased by about 1-point-9 million dollars to nearly 39 million dollars. As a result, each mill will generate about 39-thousand dollars in property tax revenue.

The City Commission is expected to adopt the 2027 budget on August 24th.

In other business, Mayor Becky Shamburg presented Water Superintendent Ryan Smith with a certificate recognizing his 10 years of service to the City of Hiawatha.

During public comment, Hiawatha resident Gavin White asked the commission to address a drainage problem at his home at 215 Kickapoo Street. White said the city previously installed a lazy curb to divert stormwater, but the improvement has not solved the issue and water continues to enter his basement.