Clinton City Council Meeting Truth in Taxation - August 5, 2025

The Clinton City Council held a Truth in Taxation public hearing on August 5, 2025, to discuss proposed property tax increases and executive salary adjustments for fiscal year 2026. The council reviewed a 7.06% increase in property tax revenue, primarily to address budget shortfalls due to declining sales tax revenue and rising operational costs. Public input included concerns about the tax burden on residents, especially those on fixed incomes, and requests for budget transparency and prioritization of essential services. The council also discussed executive salary increases, clarifying that mayor and council members receive only cost-of-living adjustments without merit raises, while department heads receive merit-based increases to aid retention. A motion was passed to approve the executive salary increases with an amendment to correct the cost-of-living adjustment percentage. The council adopted the final budget and certified the tax rate at 0.002159, including funding for an additional crossing guard by reallocating capital improvement funds. Discussions emphasized balancing fiscal responsibility with maintaining city services and infrastructure, with plans to continue evaluating budget priorities and potential future tax adjustments.