Dubuque school district proposes slightly higher tax levy rate

Dubuque Community Schools officials propose a slight increase to the district’s tax levy rate in the coming fiscal year, meaning homeowners would see an increase in the school district portion of their property tax bill. School board members are expected to approve the tax levy rate — along with the district’s proposed $183.7 million certified budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 — at a meeting next week. The proposed tax levy rate for the upcoming fiscal year is about $13.04 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. That represents a small increase from the district’s current tax levy rate of approximately $13.00 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. The proposed rate would be the second-lowest district rate in the past 15 years and the second-lowest among eight Iowa districts of similar size.