Who runs it
The city council passes ordinances, adopts the budget and sets the city’s property tax.
- Alex ScharfenkampLidderdale City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
- Brad ChristieLidderdale City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
- Max R. WenckLidderdale Mayor · elected November 4, 2025
- Tony BrownLidderdale City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
- Melissa SchleismanLidderdale City Council At-Large · elected November 7, 2023
- Mike SkinnerLidderdale City Council At-Large · elected November 7, 2023
Officials are worked out from election results: every member whose four-year term is still running, plus appointments and titles Iowa Funnel has been told about. A resignation may not show yet.
Meetings and agendas
What the council is deciding: each agenda, the resolutions and ordinances on it, and a plain-language summary.
Iowa Funnel doesn’t read this city’s agendas yet. Every council and board posts its agenda at least 24 hours before it meets.
Property taxes
How the bill is collected · What each levy is for
Who gets a property owner’s tax bill in Lidderdale
Homes and businesses in most of Lidderdale pay a combined $22.54 per $1,000 of taxable value (FY27). They pay it all to the Carroll County treasurer, who passes each government its share; the city sets and gets only its own piece, $7.68. Estimate your bill.
- Carroll schools$9.5642%
- City of Lidderdale$7.6834%
- Carroll County$3.9017%
- Des Moines Area Community College$0.814%
- Carroll County Assessor$0.432%
- Carroll County Extension (ISU Extension and Outreach)$0.16<1%
Rates over time
Per $1,000 of taxable value: the typical combined rate people in Lidderdale pay, and the city government’s own piece of it.
| Year | Combined | City’s own |
|---|---|---|
| FY20 | $23.23 | $8.10 |
| FY21 | $23.34 | $8.09 |
| FY22 | $22.85 | $8.10 |
| FY23 | $23.02 | $8.10 |
| FY24 | $23.82 | $8.08 |
| FY25 | $23.42 | $7.84 |
| FY26 | $23.39 | $7.91 |
| FY27 | $22.54 | $7.68 |
Show the numbers
| Year | Combined | City’s own |
|---|---|---|
| FY20 | $23.23 | $8.10 |
| FY21 | $23.34 | $8.09 |
| FY22 | $22.85 | $8.10 |
| FY23 | $23.02 | $8.10 |
| FY24 | $23.82 | $8.08 |
| FY25 | $23.42 | $7.84 |
| FY26 | $23.39 | $7.91 |
| FY27 | $22.54 | $7.68 |
Compared with places this size3
Lidderdale’s city property tax rate of $7.68 per $1,000 is the 25th lowest of 187 Iowa cities with 110–240 people. The middle of the group is $10.95.
See all 187
| # | Place | Rate per $1,000 | People |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brayton | $25.07 | 138 |
| 2 | Harris | $23.13 | 145 |
| 3 | Soldier | $21.92 | 176 |
| 4 | Coulter | $21.80 | 220 |
| 5 | Chelsea | $21.61 | 207 |
| 6 | Smithland | $21.12 | 184 |
| 7 | Volga | $20.23 | 200 |
| 8 | Alta Vista | $19.88 | 219 |
| 9 | Arthur | $19.86 | 218 |
| 10 | Coin | $19.59 | 171 |
| 11 | Rowan | $19.53 | 118 |
| 12 | Chester | $19.30 | 134 |
| 13 | Bouton | $19.25 | 125 |
| 14 | Garden Grove | $19.20 | 173 |
| 15 | Hastings | $18.95 | 157 |
| 16 | Swaledale | $18.62 | 136 |
| 17 | Jamaica | $18.24 | 196 |
| 18 | Hillsboro | $17.68 | 158 |
| 19 | Bristow | $17.39 | 139 |
| 20 | Woolstock | $17.26 | 141 |
| 21 | Prescott | $16.53 | 186 |
| 22 | Monmouth | $16.41 | 129 |
| 23 | Blockton | $16.37 | 123 |
| 24 | Montour | $16.37 | 199 |
| 25 | Geneva | $16.25 | 137 |
| 26 | Waterville | $16.25 | 112 |
| 27 | Deep River | $16.18 | 243 |
| 28 | Waucoma | $16.17 | 235 |
| 29 | Little Sioux | $15.74 | 170 |
| 30 | Moorhead | $15.68 | 186 |
| 31 | Onslow | $15.63 | 198 |
| 32 | Linden | $15.62 | 206 |
| 33 | Woodburn | $15.59 | 133 |
| 34 | Kamrar | $15.47 | 178 |
| 35 | Greeley | $15.23 | 216 |
| 36 | Goodell | $15.16 | 139 |
| 37 | Marne | $15.03 | 109 |
| 38 | Riverton | $14.94 | 243 |
| 39 | Marathon | $14.89 | 221 |
| 40 | Ladora | $14.74 | 223 |
| 41 | Magnolia | $14.68 | 194 |
| 42 | Bagley | $14.63 | 230 |
| 43 | Davis City | $14.45 | 178 |
| 44 | Lucas | $14.40 | 176 |
| 45 | Crystal Lake | $14.36 | 243 |
| 46 | Westgate | $14.05 | 190 |
| 47 | Palmer | $13.89 | 137 |
| 48 | Kellerton | $13.60 | 241 |
| 49 | Ayrshire | $13.55 | 128 |
| 50 | Searsboro | $13.55 | 129 |
| 51 | Lanesboro | $13.53 | 112 |
| 52 | Meservey | $13.43 | 212 |
| 53 | Leland | $13.31 | 240 |
| 54 | Calumet | $13.16 | 144 |
| 55 | Portsmouth | $13.05 | 187 |
| 56 | Clutier | $13.03 | 209 |
| 57 | Delaware | $12.86 | 139 |
| 58 | Patterson | $12.84 | 176 |
| 59 | Clemons | $12.69 | 135 |
| 60 | Blencoe | $12.57 | 223 |
| 61 | Millersburg | $12.40 | 135 |
| 62 | Aurora | $12.40 | 165 |
| 63 | Bridgewater | $12.29 | 145 |
| 64 | Cushing | $12.18 | 225 |
| 65 | Hanlontown | $12.17 | 200 |
| 66 | Stout | $12.14 | 194 |
| 67 | Webb | $12.10 | 139 |
| 68 | Paton | $12.09 | 217 |
| 69 | Decatur | $12.08 | 174 |
| 70 | Rembrandt | $12.03 | 199 |
| 71 | Shambaugh | $11.98 | 161 |
| 72 | Lone Rock | $11.92 | 143 |
| 73 | East Peru | $11.89 | 119 |
| 74 | New Providence | $11.88 | 233 |
| 75 | Henderson | $11.85 | 140 |
| 76 | Parnell | $11.78 | 190 |
| 77 | Reasnor | $11.76 | 157 |
| 78 | Ledyard | $11.74 | 118 |
| 79 | Joice | $11.72 | 206 |
| 80 | Cantril | $11.69 | 224 |
| 81 | Wadena | $11.65 | 201 |
| 82 | Exline | $11.60 | 157 |
| 83 | Beaman | $11.54 | 155 |
| 84 | College Springs | $11.44 | 172 |
| 85 | Melrose | $11.27 | 110 |
| 86 | Renwick | $11.16 | 228 |
| 87 | Linn Grove | $11.15 | 155 |
| 88 | Dundee | $11.14 | 193 |
| 89 | Randolph | $11.08 | 183 |
| 90 | Leighton | $11.07 | 153 |
| 91 | Rake | $11.05 | 179 |
| 92 | Somers | $10.99 | 121 |
| 93 | Frederika | $10.99 | 206 |
| 94 | Havelock | $10.95 | 127 |
| 95 | Alexander | $10.90 | 165 |
| 96 | Lambs Grove | $10.78 | 174 |
| 97 | Wallingford | $10.75 | 154 |
| 98 | Woden | $10.68 | 183 |
| 99 | Cleghorn | $10.49 | 235 |
| 100 | Barnes City | $10.44 | 152 |
| 101 | Stockton | $10.37 | 171 |
| 102 | Randall | $10.35 | 156 |
| 103 | Dedham | $10.28 | 221 |
| 104 | Meriden | $10.28 | 175 |
| 105 | Drakesville | $10.24 | 170 |
| 106 | Dawson | $10.19 | 110 |
| 107 | Hancock | $10.13 | 199 |
| 108 | La Motte | $10.09 | 235 |
| 109 | Melvin | $10.05 | 196 |
| 110 | Barnum | $9.96 | 186 |
| 111 | Panama | $9.85 | 234 |
| 112 | Grafton | $9.83 | 212 |
| 113 | Clare | $9.81 | 133 |
| 114 | Tingley | $9.81 | 146 |
| 115 | Ionia | $9.65 | 220 |
| 116 | Rutland | $9.65 | 116 |
| 117 | Van Wert | $9.62 | 175 |
| 118 | Rock Falls | $9.61 | 143 |
| 119 | Kirkville | $9.59 | 159 |
| 120 | Luxemburg | $9.58 | 240 |
| 121 | Superior | $9.58 | 127 |
| 122 | Martinsburg | $9.49 | 109 |
| 123 | Rippey | $9.42 | 217 |
| 124 | Larrabee | $9.41 | 116 |
| 125 | Hamilton | $9.35 | 125 |
| 126 | Floris | $9.29 | 119 |
| 127 | Mitchell | $9.22 | 118 |
| 128 | Westphalia | $9.18 | 133 |
| 129 | Elberon | $9.16 | 178 |
| 130 | Dixon | $9.03 | 204 |
| 131 | Blairsburg | $8.93 | 175 |
| 132 | Prairieburg | $8.91 | 156 |
| 133 | Oakville | $8.89 | 198 |
| 134 | Welton | $8.86 | 124 |
| 135 | Archer | $8.84 | 116 |
| 136 | Luther | $8.83 | 147 |
| 137 | Harvey | $8.71 | 242 |
| 138 | Washta | $8.65 | 206 |
| 139 | Moorland | $8.61 | 169 |
| 140 | Pilot Mound | $8.54 | 155 |
| 141 | Ollie | $8.44 | 196 |
| 142 | Thor | $8.38 | 182 |
| 143 | South English | $8.27 | 196 |
| 144 | Thurman | $8.26 | 162 |
| 145 | Boxholm | $8.11 | 177 |
| 146 | Fostoria | $8.10 | 229 |
| 147 | Low Moor | $8.10 | 242 |
| 148 | Rome | $8.10 | 112 |
| 149 | Westfield | $8.10 | 121 |
| 150 | Laurel | $8.10 | 214 |
| 151 | Lineville | $8.10 | 194 |
| 152 | Vincent | $8.09 | 125 |
| 153 | Mount Auburn | $7.86 | 162 |
| 154 | Haverhill | $7.86 | 164 |
| 155 | Grand River | $7.86 | 192 |
| 156 | Olds | $7.86 | 174 |
| 157 | Castalia | $7.86 | 141 |
| 158 | Dickens | $7.86 | 146 |
| 159 | Rose Hill | $7.86 | 156 |
| 160 | West Chester | $7.82 | 147 |
| 161 | Mcclelland | $7.79 | 147 |
| 162 | Luzerne | $7.69 | 111 |
| 163 | Lidderdale | $7.68 | 162 |
| 164 | Bernard | $7.56 | 117 |
| 165 | Fredonia | $7.55 | 227 |
| 166 | Braddyville | $7.49 | 142 |
| 167 | Alvord | $7.41 | 216 |
| 168 | Franklin | $7.31 | 133 |
| 169 | Weldon | $7.18 | 134 |
| 170 | Brunsville | $6.95 | 128 |
| 171 | Packwood | $6.77 | 186 |
| 172 | Houghton | $6.73 | 129 |
| 173 | Williamson | $6.72 | 126 |
| 174 | Keswick | $6.49 | 238 |
| 175 | Lincoln | $6.32 | 119 |
| 176 | Gravity | $6.18 | 149 |
| 177 | Ackworth | $5.90 | 117 |
| 178 | Oakland Acres | $5.88 | 178 |
| 179 | Springbrook | $5.79 | 145 |
| 180 | Maysville | $5.77 | 155 |
| 181 | Harper | $5.29 | 117 |
| 182 | Panorama Park | $4.62 | 142 |
| 183 | Mcintire | $2.78 | 115 |
| 184 | Sherrill | $2.66 | 176 |
| 185 | Centralia | $2.41 | 117 |
| 186 | Rickardsville | $2.27 | 204 |
| 187 | New Liberty | $2.27 | 141 |
The $8.10 limit
Lidderdale’s general levy is $7.68 per $1,000 of taxable value in FY27, $0.42 below the limit.4 743 of 934 Iowa cities have a higher general levy. All cities.
FY23 $8.10 · FY24 $8.08 · FY25 $7.84 · FY26 $7.91 · FY27 $7.68 (before FY25, the general levy alone)
Tax increment financing (TIF)
$4.2M of taxable value in Lidderdale is in TIF districts’ increment (23% of the city’s taxable value), 2025 valuations, taxed in FY27.5 It budgeted $54,000 in TIF revenue for FY25.
What that value would raise at each government’s rate, FY276
Taxes on TIF value go to the city’s TIF fund instead of the governments that levy them, including about $31,874 of the city’s own.
| Year | TIF revenue |
|---|---|
| FY16 | $45,123 |
| FY17 | $32,707 |
| FY18 | $34,435 |
| FY19 | $48,049 |
| FY20 | $50,338 |
| FY21 | $46,721 |
| FY22 | $40,649 |
| FY23 | $50,241 |
Show the numbers
| Year | TIF revenue |
|---|---|
| FY16 | $45,123 |
| FY17 | $32,707 |
| FY18 | $34,435 |
| FY19 | $48,049 |
| FY20 | $50,338 |
| FY21 | $46,721 |
| FY22 | $40,649 |
| FY23 | $50,241 |
The city’s levies, FY27
What the city raises from each levy. The general levy is capped by state law; the others are set aside for one purpose.
Budget and spending
Where each dollar of Lidderdale’s budget goes, FY26
Planned spending from all funds, including city-run utilities like water and sewer (“business type”), which some cities run and others don’t. Transfers between funds are left out. “Cities this size” is the average for the 185 Iowa cities closest in size (110–240 people).
| Where it goes | Of each dollar | Cities this size (185) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Type / Enterprise | 28¢ | 29¢ |
| Public Works | 26¢ | 25¢ |
| Culture and Recreation | 19¢ | 8¢ |
| Debt Service | 12¢ | 2¢ |
| General Government | 11¢ | 22¢ |
| Everything else | 4¢ | 11¢ |
Planned spending, FY27
All funds: property taxes, utility and other fees, state and federal money. “Business type” is city-run utilities and enterprises like water or sewer.
The state’s FY27 file doesn’t include business type / enterprise yet ($143,532 in FY26), so this total is low.
Budget compared with what it spent, FY23
| Function | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|
| Public Works | $95,500 | $70,090 |
| Public Safety | $15,600 | $12,350 |
| Health and Social Services | $500 | $841 |
| General Government | $32,200 | $40,647 |
| Debt Service | $50,000 | $0 |
| Culture and Recreation | $20,700 | $21,341 |
| Community and Economic Development | $500 | $169 |
| Capital Projects | $0 | $0 |
| Business Type / Enterprise | $181,603 | $246,166 |
What it spent each year
FY24 left out7
Debt, reserves and audits
How local debt works · What an audit tells you
What Lidderdale owes
$1.6M at June 30, 2026: $9,429 per resident. 18th most per resident of 939 Iowa places of its kind (the list).8
| June 30 | Owed | Per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1.6M | $9,429 |
| 2025 | $1.8M | $10,871 |
| 2024 | $466,531 | $2,810 |
| 2023 | $338,000 | $2,036 |
| 2022 | $371,000 | $2,235 |
| 2021 | $432,000 | $2,602 |
| 2020 | $466,000 | $2,807 |
| 2019 | $507,000 | $3,054 |
| 2018 | $546,000 | $3,289 |
| 2017 | $584,500 | $3,521 |
| 2016 | $623,000 | $3,753 |
| 2015 | $659,584 | $3,973 |
| 2014 | $1.5M | $9,118 |
| 2013 | $504,500 | $3,039 |
| 2012 | $107,245 | $646 |
| 2011 | $99,000 | $596 |
| 2010 | $105,000 | $633 |
Show the numbers
| June 30 | Owed | Per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1.6M | $9,429 |
| 2025 | $1.8M | $10,871 |
| 2024 | $466,531 | $2,810 |
| 2023 | $338,000 | $2,036 |
| 2022 | $371,000 | $2,235 |
| 2021 | $432,000 | $2,602 |
| 2020 | $466,000 | $2,807 |
| 2019 | $507,000 | $3,054 |
| 2018 | $546,000 | $3,289 |
| 2017 | $584,500 | $3,521 |
| 2016 | $623,000 | $3,753 |
| 2015 | $659,584 | $3,973 |
| 2014 | $1.5M | $9,118 |
| 2013 | $504,500 | $3,039 |
| 2012 | $107,245 | $646 |
| 2011 | $99,000 | $596 |
| 2010 | $105,000 | $633 |
Up 1391% since 2010.
The 5% limit9
General obligation debt is $772,130, 63% of the limit of about $1.2M (5% of $24.7M, the full value of its taxable property in 2024).
5 obligations at June 30, 2026
| Kind | For | Paid off by | Owed |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Obligation | Wastewater Lagoon Project to be finished in Fall 2025 | 2044 | $644,130 |
| Revenue Bonds | Wastewater Lagoon Project to finished in Fall 2025 | 2064 | $579,537 |
| General Obligation | LOAN OBLIGATION TIF FOR WATER MAIN, TOWER AND METER IMPROVEMENTS, THIS AMOUNT WILL BE CERTIFIED TO THE CLERK BY 12-1-2013. | 2032 | $128,000 |
| Revenue Bonds | Wastewater Lagoon Project to finished in Fall 2025 | 2066 | $116,500 |
| Revenue Bonds | water project for water tower, water mains and water mains. Project total 1,212,460.63 with 967,476.38 was forgiven on 5-22-15 | 2033 | $97,000 |
General obligation bonds are repaid from property taxes; revenue bonds and loans from the fees or revenue they’re tied to. On the Treasurer’s site
Money in reserve
The state’s budget files don’t include cities’ fund balances10. Lidderdale’s latest audit has them: Periodic Examination, period ending Wednesday, March 31, 2021 (PDF).
Audits11
The latest: Periodic Examination for the period ending Wednesday, March 31, 2021 (PDF), released Wednesday, December 29, 2021, by a CPA firm.
State money
What the State of Iowa pays the city each year, and whether it has kept up with prices. Does state money keep pace? 12
What the state pays the city every year
Road Use Tax for streets, the commercial and industrial tax “backfill”, and ambulance reimbursement, paid every year by formula: $21,839 in FY25, up 74% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 39% more. Grants are below.
Show the numbers
| Source | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road Use Tax (streets) | $12,558 | $12,631 | $12,992 | $13,063 |
| Commercial and industrial tax replacement (“backfill”) | – | – | $5,742 | $8,776 |
Grants and project money
State grants and money for specific projects (roads, development, natural resources) vary with what the city applies for and wins, so they aren’t counted as the state’s regular support.
| Year | Grants and projects |
|---|---|
| FY19 | $0 |
| FY20 | $5,867 |
| FY21 | $0 |
| FY22 | $0 |
| FY23 | $5,389 |
| FY24 | $4,041 |
| FY25 | $0 |
Show the numbers
| Year | Grants and projects |
|---|---|
| FY19 | $0 |
| FY20 | $5,867 |
| FY21 | $0 |
| FY22 | $0 |
| FY23 | $5,389 |
| FY24 | $4,041 |
| FY25 | $0 |
Has it kept up with prices?
Each source from FY19 to FY25, after inflation.
- Road Use Tax (streets)−17%$12,535 → $13,063, up 4% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 17% less
Collected by the state for the city
The local option sales tax is a city tax voters approved; the state collects it with the state sales tax and sends it back. It isn’t state aid. It’s up 23% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 2% less.
Business awards
Elections
Running for mayor and city council
Filing opens Monday, August 23, 2027: in 284 days.
For the Tuesday, November 2, 2027 election, candidates file Monday, August 23, 2027 to Thursday, September 16, 2027 with the county auditor (or the city clerk, if the auditor names the clerk to take them)13.
In a city that can hold a primary, filing runs Monday, August 9, 2027 to Thursday, August 26, 2027.
Most recent: November 4, 2025
City · 2
3 seats: the top 3 win.
- Alex Scharfenkamp Winner4136.3%
- Tony Brown Winner3631.9%
- Brad Christie Winner3631.9%
- Max R. Wenck Unopposed34100.0%
Local races from civicAPI and county auditors for Lidderdale; official results are on each county auditor’s site.
Who has filed for Tuesday, November 2, 2027
Filing hasn’t opened. These seats are expected on the ballot.
- Lidderdale City Council At-Large (2 seats)Now held by Melissa Schleisman, Mike Skinner
- Lidderdale MayorNow held by Max R. Wenck
Candidates as county auditors and civicAPI list them; a filing can take a few days to appear here14.
Past ballot measures
None found since 2022.
When a measure can be on the ballot
- Tuesday, March 2, 2027 · no bond or debt questions
- Tuesday, September 14, 2027 · no bond or debt questions
- Tuesday, November 2, 2027 · any question, including bonds
- Tuesday, March 7, 2028 · no bond or debt questions
Bonds and other borrowing can only go on the November ballot15.
Related places
At the Statehouse and in Congress16
Jason Schultz (Sen. 6)Craig Steven Williams (Rep. 11)
U.S. House:District 4