CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Pass the ordinance for the Levy and Assessment of Taxes for the Fiscal Year beginning January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2026, adopting a total levy of $125,000 for Special Service Area No. 35 (Downtown Streetscape)
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DEPARTMENT: Finance Department
SUBMITTED BY: Raymond Munch, Director of Finance
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Special Service Area No. 35 (SSA #35) was created by Ordinance 23-074 in June 2023. The purpose of SSA #35 is to levy a special tax on properties in the SSA based on their value for a period of up to 15 years and to not exceed the rate or amount necessary to produce total revenues of $4.50 million. These funds will be used to reimburse design, engineering, construction, and other project related expenses related to the Downtown Streetscape that encompasses Washington Street from Benton Avenue to Chicago Avenue.
DISCUSSION:
The City Council received the estimated 2025 property tax levy for SSA #33 at the November 18, 2025 meeting in the amount of $125,000.
Per state statute, a public hearing is required if the proposed 2025 property tax levy for a special service area is greater than 105% of the final 2024 property tax extension. Because the 2025 levy is less than 105% of the final 2024 tax extension, the City Council may adopt the annual property tax levy for SSA #35 without further action.
The proposed levy amount is estimated to produce a tax rate at or below the current rate of 0.6518, which is below the maximum rate of 4.0000 set by the originating ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The tax levy of $125,000 for SSA #35 will support the reimbursement of costs associated with the Downtown Streetscape project within this special service area as included in the 2026 annual operating budget.