(Atlantic, Iowa) – Thanksgiving is typically the time those at the table loosening their belts to take-in all the goodies, but when it comes to spending, the City of Atlantic is going to be tightening its financial belt. That’s the message City Administrator John Lund essentially conveyed to the Council during their meeting, Wednesday. Lund gave the Council a copy of the Property Tax Report he also gave the City’s Department Heads.

Lund said “It sounds like they’re (The legislature) gonna do more things related to property taxes this year,”and he urged the Council not to wait for their action to happen.

He says “No one likes paying property taxes, but what pays for fire, police, the libraries? Property taxes.

One way to reduce the property tax burden, is through growth: adding more businesses and residents. Lund says the push to establishing more housing units this year in Atlantic is a step in the right direction, but it isn’t easy to accomplish.

It remains to be seen what the Iowa Legislature will do to the property tax system, but it’s clear City Managers in the area are concerned enough to ask their leaders to lobby the legislature not to make any drastic changes, in light of the current economy.

Here is more information on the property tax and how it relates to a city’s financial situation. These documents were prepared by Erin Mullenix, Research Director for the Iowa League of Cities, and made possible courtesy Atlantic City Clerk, Barb Barrick:

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