KALONA

This is a busy time of year, and this year is no exception.  With a taste of some spring-like weather, we wanted to take an opportunity to update and showcase some of the activities the City of Kalona is working on.

2024/2025 City Budget

On April 1 at 7 p.m. we will be holding our public hearing on the proposed budget for next fiscal year that starts July 1, 2024.  With some of the bipartisan legislative changes with HF718, there was and is nervousness amongst city and county governments on what those changes will mean. I hope to outline just briefly how those changes impacted our planning for the upcoming FY24-25 budget and what they mean directly to you as a resident. 

The certified levy amount for FY24-25 is being proposed at $10.36902 per $1,000 of gross taxable value less any tax credits.  This is down just a fraction from our current budget that we are working under, which is $10.36995 per $1,000 of gross taxable value less any tax credits. 

So, what does that mean for a Kalona resident who owns property?  One major component of the property tax reduction implemented this year was changing the rollback percentage.  Currently residential property tax is figured on 54.6501% of the gross taxable property value as determined by the Washington County Assessor.  Going into our FY24-25 budget, the rollback will move to 46.3428%.  The changes in the rollback percentage will mean that the city levy rate will go against 46.3428% of your gross taxable value and not the previous 54.6501%. 

In 2023, Kalona grew at a 5.22% rate for our taxable value.  This 5.22% is slightly higher than your 11-year average of 4.19%.  With this, our total revenue growth increased at a 3.16% pace with the new legislative measures in place for property tax relief. 

As always if you have questions feel free to reach out to City Hall at 656-2310 or rschlabaugh@cityofkalona.org.

Yard Waste and Curbside

Bag Pickup

Last year the city provided yard waste bags for residents to use for their leaves, grass, and garden debris.  This year we will be doing the same but adding a Tuesday curbside bag pickup by city staff starting on March 12.  This curbside service will be available March through May, and again for fall in October and November.  We ask that all bags be in the city right-of-way by 7 a.m. the day of pick up.  Please consult the city website for hours of yard waste bin availability.

During the summer months Kalona residents will be able to utilize the yard waste dumpster located at the city shop at 711 A Avenue.  All organic material being dumped must be in an organic compostable bag.  Those can be picked up at City Hall during normal business hours and in the YMCA during weekend and evening hours. 

The city’s burning ordinance allows for burning in April and May and again in October and November.  Burning can take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays during these months from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

City Clean-up

Our annual city clean-up day is scheduled for May 25 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the west City Park parking lot.  A full list of allowable items will be posted on the city website closer to the event. 

Golf Carts

As a reminder, the City of Kalona does allow for golf carts to be driven on city streets when registered.  If you have had a cart registered with the city in the past you would have received a renewal to register.  New cart owners need to complete the application that is on the city website and bring the cart to City Hall for a brief inspection before the 2024 registration sticker is issued. 

UTVs (side by sides) are allowed when registered through the state.  This can be done by going to the Washington County Assessor to register.  No ATVs are allowed to be operated on city streets.

Parks and Recreation

On Monday, March 4 work began on the Southtown Recreational Park.  The new city park will include a 2+ acre dog park, ADA playground, splash pad, trails, naturescape and a public restroom facility.  We are excited to add that through our work with the contractor, we will be including two soccer fields/multipurpose field space in Phase I. 

Also, on Monday the concrete is being poured for the disc golf tee pads and standards.  We are working on having the 9-hole disc golf course located just off 133^rd and Nutmeg available in late March.

This summer you will also see work/improvements being done to our Kalona City Park to include shelter upgrades, field surfacing, restroom improvements and tree planting and relocation.   

The YMCA continues to break records in Kalona, and it’s exciting to share the successes they are seeing at our Community Center.  Currently there is 1,856 members in the Kalona Community Center and 1,002 of those are Kalona residents.  This has our Kalona community utilization rate at greater than 35%, which is outstanding and well above community averages.

The YMCA has signed up 185 seniors through their Medicare supplement to receive a free membership, and 11 military families are receiving a discounted membership rate.  Lastly, there have been 11,594 scans into the facility from Jan. 1, 2024.  Should you want more information on how to join or to take advantage of discounts, please contact the YMCA at 656-2400 or at www.washingtony.org. 

Summer girls and boys youth programming is open for registration and information can be obtained through the YMCA.

Comprehensive Plan

In 2024 the city will be undertaking updating our comprehensive plan.  With all of the changes in our corporate limits and growth, it warrants that we take a closer look at what the future wants and needs are for the City of Kalona.

We will be hosting numerous opportunities for the public to share their input and we ask that you participate in sharing your thoughts during those times.  All of your input will be vital in determining how we grow and improve as a community.  These areas include business areas, housing, parks and recreational areas, and trail connectivity.

Thanks for your time and as always please feel to reach out with questions or comments.  My email is rschlabaugh@cityofkalona.org.