Public hearing on proposed budget

The Waverly City Council held a special meeting and public hearing on the Proposed Budget Statement. A resident, Brock Sands, raised concerns about rising property taxes and questioned using Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) for a golf course clubhouse renovation instead of property tax relief or affordable housing. City Administrator James W. Bronner explained the renovation is a smaller, LOST-funded project and noted recent tax increases are largely driven by rising property valuations and state-mandated rollbacks; he also stated most homeowners with average assessment changes would see a decrease in the city portion of their taxes under the proposed budget. The Council approved the agenda and adjourned after closing the hearing.