The cost of living in Bettendorf may go up next year. Thursday night the city council will host a public meeting to explain the proposed budget that could go into effect in July.
City administrator, Decker Ploehn, says the property tax rate would stay the same as this year, but due to changes in the state rollback and rising property values, city taxes will go up 48 dollars per year for the owner of a median-priced home - in Bettendorf that's 177,000 dollars.
Increases in other fees will add another 28 dollars.
The 100 million dollar budget calls for hiring 3 new full-time employees, including a police officer, and hiring 6 part-time workers for public works and parks. In addition, Ploehn says there would be several major road projects in Bettendorf - on Forest Grove Road, Middle Road, 18th Street, and Spruce Hills Road.
Following tonight's public meeting, he says a public hearing and final adoption are scheduled for March lst, so the new budget can be submitted to the state by the March 15th deadline.
