Marion proposes no increase in tax rate
Staff writer
Marion’s proposed 2020 city budget has no change in the estimated tax rate, city administrator Roger Holter said Monday.
An increase in property appraisals adds $186,382 more to the budget as the assessed valuation is $10,165,224, compared to $9,927,074 for 2019.
If property assessments drop, the city’s tax rate will go up and the mill levy, now at 71.117, will increase.
The budget includes:
- $1,736,392, an increase of $121,113, for the general fund.
- $383,565, a decrease of $913, for the debt service fund.
- $94,000, an increase of $4,976, for the library.
- $50,000, a $16,800 decrease, for the special highway fund.
- $1,200 for special parks and recreation funds.
- $129.591, an increase of $16,358, for the equipment reserve fund.
- $2,450, an increase of $1,950, for the land bank program.
- $3,776,972, an increase of $73,469, for the utility fund.
- $4,279,854, a decrease of $17,961, for the capital improvement fund.
- $14,684, an increase of $3,000, for the special law enforcement fund.
Utility bills will increase $12.86 to pay for a water line replacement project. The increase will go into effect when the water line project begins, which could be after 2020. The base rate for water now is $30 a month.
The total cost of the water line replacement project is expected to be $4,028,000. A loan is through United States Department of Agriculture is being finalized and the city plans to apply for an additional grant for the project.