KALONA

State-mandated property tax letters went out in March, and those numbers are causing folks concern. A few of them expressed that concern Monday night at the levy hearing for the City of Kalona.

Four people filled the back row at council chambers, interested to know why the Kalona city tax appears to be increasing on residential properties.

“We’re proposing a levy of $10.36, which is the same as last year,” City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh said. “So, no increase on the levy side, and that brings revenue in. We’ll see a little bit of an increase in revenue just due to additional properties added and some assessments and so forth.”

How many additional properties? 25-30, Schlabaugh said. Why are costs going up? “Just the yearly trends of things being more expensive.” Are residents getting any additional services for their money? Not other than improved parks and trail systems. Is the city working with the Chamber to bring in new businesses, as a few closed in the last year?

“We’ve had a few close, but we’ve also had some reopening,” Mayor Mark Robe said, citing the new General Store opening soon, and Collected Treasures Antiques and Collectibles opening where English River Antiques had been. “Tonia [Poole] with the Chamber, she does a great job trying to get businesses in town, along with Mary [Audia] out of WEDG.”

We’re losing a manufacturer, CIVCO. “That’s a hard thing to get replaced, honestly,” Robe said, but mentioned the new Kwik Star coming online as an employer in the next year.

Wouldn’t that increase traffic at the intersection? Will we need a traffic light there? “Traffic projections haven’t warranted it,” Schlabaugh said, saying the DOT would have to determine that. At present, 11,000 vehicles pass through the intersection of Highways 1 and 22 every day.

“I’m glad you’re listening to people,” one attendee said at the close of the hearing. “When you’re getting hit from all sides at the same time, it’s a little much to swallow, and I would hope that we can find a way to hold back the projected increases to a minimum, because I don’t foresee people being able to sustain increase after increase.”

“We appreciate your comments,” Robe said.

New Grant Projects

Following the public hearing, the city council held their regular business meeting, where the council approved the receipt of grants for new trees and an emergency response trailer.

Fifty-two new trees will arrive this spring thanks to a $10,000 grant from Trees Forever and the DNR. The city plans to purchase the trees locally, and as part of the grant agreement, involve Mid-Prairie Elementary and Middle School students in their planting at Kalona City Park. Mature trees at City Park may be relocated to the pocket park or other locations where desired.

An unexpected opportunity arose in the last couple of weeks for Kalona to join the Davis County school district and the City of Roland in an IEDA grant application for a solar powered emergency response trailer. For its buy-in of only $1,500, the city will receive a $35,000 piece of equipment that can provide mobile lighting and a charging hub that would be useful in the event of an emergency where the city lost power. The trailer is expected to be delivered in June.

Other Council Action

Mayor Robe issued a proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 13-19, in Kalona. Cara Sorrells, 911 dispatch supervisor for Washington County, was in attendance, and introduced Rendee Campbell, “one of our newest dispatchers. She’s from the Kalona area, and I thought it would be nice to put names on faces, so you know who actually answers your calls when you call 911 for help,” she said.

“Congratulations,” Schlabaugh said. “It’s a great group.”

The council set a public hearing for Monday, April 21 at 7 p.m. for approval of the 2025-2026 budget.

The council approved temporary street closures for the Kalona Horseshoe gravel bike race on Saturday, May 10. The closures will be identical to last year, although the route of the actual race may vary.

The council approved an underground electrical easement on the west property line of Sharon Hill Cemetery for Alliant Energy.

The Kalona City Council will next meet on Monday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.