Keokuk, IA – The Keokuk City Council has approved the city's budget for next year. The spending plan for the fiscal year that starts in July includes a 40 cent increase in the property tax rate. Despite the hike, a change in the state tax formula will lead to a decrease in some homeowner's property tax bills. The tax bill for a $75,000 home in Keokuk would actually decrease by about $7 next year, compared to the current fiscal year. The city council transferred thousands of dollars and put a 5% cap on increases in departmental budget requests to balance the spending plan. Finance Director Doug Matlick says the police department did receive an additional $65,000 over its 5% cap. He says that money makes up for budget deficiences in recent years and provides enough funding for no layoffs. The budget must now be certified by the state. In other action, the city council finalized the zoning of the future site of a biodiesel plant for heavy industrial use.
Keokuk Approves Budget
