Dean Vakas

2027 Proposed Budget

No mill levy increase, but rising property values push individual tax bills higher; fees like the $40 transfer-station minimum also rise.

2027 state legislative agenda

Raising the frozen 21.5-cent excise tax could shift significant road costs to new development — staff will bring revenue estimates in December.

Retiree health benefit reductions

Speakers cited roughly $180,000 a year in what they called excess employee VIVA contributions and about $9.7 million in unanticipated property tax revenue that could offset retiree costs.

Vehicle and Equipment Replacement Fund budget amendment

Expenditure authority rises from $12.95 million to $22.2 million, but it's existing money from prior-year purchase orders, not new dollars.

Transfer station fee increase

Minimum drop-off cost rises from roughly $25 to $40; per-ton rates stay the same.

2025 financial audit results

No issues flagged publicly; the audit report drew no questions.

Economic incentives audit monitoring

Home rehabilitation loan forgiveness policy

Forgiveness would reduce loan repayments owed to the city's housing program.

119th & Renner CID sales tax timing

Delays when the special sales tax begins collecting within its fixed 22-year window.

Industrial revenue bond incentives

Up to 80% property tax abatement for 10 years on five projects; foregone revenue depends on final approved levels.

2027 CDBG funding needs

Grant funding levels have remained steady for years; applications open early each year.

Employee health insurance switch from Cigna to Aetna

Projected savings of about $674,000 with Aetna versus $363,000 with Cigna on the city's self-funded plan.

2026 Johnson County property revaluation

Higher appraisals feed directly into property tax bills and the city's budget base — average home appraisals rose about 5.5%.

Hedge Lane special assessments

One property owner who agreed to the district in 2021 will pay the assessments as bonds are issued this summer.

2026 Federal Legislative Program

Seeks federal appropriations for the post office redevelopment gap and public safety/infrastructure projects.

2025 DirectionFinder Survey results

The survey is used to shape where the city invests its budget, especially on traffic and street projects.