Fort Madison Finalizes Property Tax Levy Increase

City Council approves higher rates and pay raises for municipal workers.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The City of Fort Madison has finalized its property tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year, setting the rate at $18.84 per $1,000 of assessed valuation - an increase of 59.5 cents from the current year. The city's debt service is also set at $1.7 million. In addition, the City Council ratified a 9% across-the-board pay raise for union staff, with the fire department seeing a 5% increase and non-union employees receiving around a 5% raise.

Why it matters

This property tax hike and municipal pay raises will impact Fort Madison residents and businesses, potentially increasing the cost of living and doing business in the area. The higher levies could also make the city less affordable and attractive for new residents and companies looking to relocate.

The details

The City of Fort Madison has finalized its property tax levy for the 2026-27 fiscal year, setting the rate at $18.84 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. This represents an increase of 59.5 cents from the current year's levy. The city's debt service for the upcoming year is set at $1.7 million. In addition to the higher property taxes, the Fort Madison City Council also ratified a 9% across-the-board pay raise for union staff, with the fire department seeing a 5% increase and non-union employees receiving around a 5% raise.

  • The new property tax levy and municipal pay raises will take effect at the start of the 2026-27 fiscal year.
  • The Fort Madison City Council approved the changes during a meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2026.

The players

City of Fort Madison

The local government of Fort Madison, Iowa, which is responsible for setting property tax rates and municipal employee compensation.

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The takeaway

The higher property tax levy and municipal pay raises in Fort Madison could make the city less affordable for residents and businesses, potentially impacting the local economy and quality of life. Residents may need to factor in these increased costs when budgeting or considering relocating to the area.