In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the city's tax rate adjustments and infrastructure investments, highlighting a slight decrease in the proposed tax rate for the upcoming year. The tax rate has been lowered by one cent, bringing it down to 104.471 from last year's 105.471. This change is attributed to updated certified property values, which have shown a modest increase in average home values from $100,405 to $105,010.

Residents can expect an average tax increase of approximately $48 for those owning homes at the average value, with the city tax rising from about $1,049 to $1,097. The meeting also addressed the city's ongoing efforts to improve its aging infrastructure, particularly in water and sewer systems, which have seen significant investment in recent years.

Officials noted that the city has been working to address a backlog of infrastructure needs, including 80 miles of water lines and 45 miles of sewer lines that had not been adequately maintained. Recent funding initiatives, including certificates of obligation, have been utilized to finance street improvements, with nearly $1 million allocated from a previously unspent sales tax fund.

Looking ahead, the city plans to initiate approximately $5 million in construction projects this year, with requests for proposals (RFPs) expected to be released shortly. These projects will focus on midterm improvements to streets and intersections, while long-term plans include significant upgrades to water and sewer lines, currently in the design phase and set to begin construction later this year or early next year.