Waukee Tax Rate to Remain Steady, Spending Up for Next Fiscal Year

The city of Waukee will boost police, fire, economic development and library staffing under a proposed budget reviewed by the Waukee City Council this week, the Des Moines Register reports.

The budget calls for the city to spend about $7.1 million for the 2013-14 fiscal year, which begins July 1. That is an increase of about $500,000 or 6.9 percent from the current budget of about $6.6 million, the newspaper said.

The proposed budget accommodates a growing staff and the city it serves, interim city administrator Brad Deets told the newspaper.

If approved as presented, the city’s property tax rate would remain at $13.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. City officials said the increased spending will be paid for with additional property tax revenue generated by new businesses and homeowners, the Register said.

The proposed budget adds economic development staff to assist with major projects such as the development of the Alice’s Road corridor, Deets said.

New staff positions also will be added at the public works department and the library, the newspaper said. One new police officer will be added, and there will be money to pay officers on weekends, and department vehicles will be updated.

The proposed budget will also pay for additional fire/EMS staff on weekends.

Under the plan the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce would again receive $15,000, the Waukee Family YMCA would receive $5,000 and the Waukee Area Arts Council would receive $12,500.