The Pella City Council spent the last two evenings mapping out the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Council worked to clarify some of their priorities for the more $44 million in funding projected from July 1st, 2019, through June 30th, 2020. While nearly half of that money is spent on utilities, a portion of the budget is used annually for capital projects.

The overall budget will grow more than 12 percent from the current fiscal year, while maintaining the same property tax rate of $10.20 per $1000 of valuation for the 18th consecutive year.

A larger surplus this year has been planned for, especially with several major initiatives coming for the city, including the facility needs assessment and the future of the Pella Community Center, economic development along Oskaloosa Street, Central Business District infrastructure improvements, and the municipal communications utility.

One of the external funding requests the council will budget for in the coming fiscal year includes a gravel road conversion for 218th Place near the Shady Brook Subdivision–dependent on the annexation process.

The Pella City Council will consider final approval of the budget at their March 5th meeting.