Keokuk mayor: proposed levy would cut typical property-tax bills; public hearing draws no comments

The Keokuk City Council opened a public hearing at 5:01 p.m. on a proposed property tax levy and closed it at 5:02 p.m. after taking no public comments.

Mayor Jim summarized the levy’s effect on typical taxpayers, saying a $100,000 home would have had $1,245 in property tax under the current certified 2025–26 figures and that, based on the new assessed valuation and the proposed levy, the bill for that same home would drop to about $964 — “a percentage change of just over 22%,” he said. He added that commercial property rates would fall by roughly 17% under the state valuation formula.

Council members asked for clarification about whether action was required; staff said the hearing was for notice and that no further formal action was required at that moment. The mayor said the proposed levy reduction is funded primarily from adjustments to debt service and employee benefits in the draft budget.

The council adjourned briefly and reconvened for the 5:30 p.m. meeting.

Next steps: the levy figures presented at the hearing will be incorporated into the draft budget the council planned to consider later in the evening and at upcoming budget meetings.