The Johnston City Council fulfilled a pledge to use most of the proceeds from the recent local option sales tax increase to reduce the property tax rate. The combined tax rate will be $10.63 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation compared with a rate of $11.65 in the current fiscal year. According to figures published by the City, 65% of the estimated sales tax revenue – $2.15 million – will be used to reduce the City’s property tax rate. The rest will be used for additional new staff positions and various equipment, services and activities. All of this was a part of the fiscal year 2021 budget approved by the Johnston City Council on March 16, 2020. What we don’t yet know is the actual amount of property taxes that will be paid by businesses and residents when the new combined levy rates are applied to the higher assessed property values established by the Assessors last year. How will the amount paid compare to the current budget year? That should be known soon. Notable projects and public improvements included in the budget for fiscal year 2021 are:
- Reconstruction of NW 62nd Ave. and Merle Hay Road intersection (part of the Town Center project)
- Reconstruction NW 54th Ave between NW 86th Street and NW 100th
- NW Beaver Drive Overlay and Trail
- Pioneer Parkway Trail and Lew Clarkson Water Trail Access Point
- Trestle Bridge Reconstruction
- Broadband Visioning Study (Needs Assessment)
Interested in more information? Download and view the staff report and presentation slides.