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Eldora

Hardin County · How cities work

$4,340 a yearproperty tax on a $200,000 home here, FY27, for every local government ($51.56 per $1,000 of taxable value)1
$2,260 a yearof that goes to the city ($26.87 per $1,000)
$1.8Mproperty taxes the city levies, FY27
$4.3Mcity budget, FY27, without city-run utilities (not yet reported)2

Who runs it

The city council passes ordinances, adopts the budget and sets the city’s property tax.

  • Bev JonesEldora City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
  • Denny BarnardEldora Mayor · elected November 4, 2025
  • Scott SwartzEldora City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
  • Wesley Dale LandisEldora City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
  • Don LauchnerEldora City Council At-Large · elected November 7, 2023
  • Maile A. CarterEldora 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 Eldora

Homes and businesses in most of Eldora pay a combined $51.56 per $1,000 of taxable value (FY27). They pay it all to the Hardin County treasurer, who passes each government its share; the city sets and gets only its own piece, $26.87. Estimate your bill.

Rates over time

Per $1,000 of taxable value: the typical combined rate people in Eldora pay, and the city government’s own piece of it.

YearCombinedCity’s own
FY20$42.36$20.47
FY21$44.98$21.76
FY22$45.21$21.49
FY23$44.85$21.86
FY24$48.88$25.17
FY25$49.16$25.17
FY26$51.98$27.42
FY27$51.56$26.87
Show the numbers
YearCombinedCity’s own
FY20$42.36$20.47
FY21$44.98$21.76
FY22$45.21$21.49
FY23$44.85$21.86
FY24$48.88$25.17
FY25$49.16$25.17
FY26$51.98$27.42
FY27$51.56$26.87

Compared with places this size3

Eldora’s city property tax rate of $26.87 per $1,000 is the 1st highest of 79 Iowa cities with 1,800–3,900 people. The middle of the group is $14.10.

Pocahontas: $20.79Rockwell City: $20.74Bloomfield: $20.41Belmond: $19.86Sibley: $19.77Albia: $19.70Sac City: $19.69Eagle Grove: $19.32West Liberty: $18.68Toledo: $18.21La Porte City: $18.08Tama: $17.74Clarion: $17.74Britt: $17.72Missouri Valley: $17.68Madrid: $16.93West Union: $16.60Audubon: $16.52Grundy Center: $16.36Belle Plaine: $16.34Colfax: $16.25Durant: $16.24Lamoni: $16.15Cresco: $16.13Marengo: $16.10Postville: $15.68Tipton: $15.54Stuart: $15.48Granger: $15.22Sigourney: $15.20Guttenberg: $15.19Sumner: $14.83Waukon: $14.76Van Meter: $14.60Rock Rapids: $14.57Jesup: $14.31Osage: $14.29Parkersburg: $14.15Ida Grove: $14.10Lake Mills: $13.82Emmetsburg: $13.70Wilton: $13.62New Hampton: $13.44Wapello: $13.29Hudson: $13.19Center Point: $13.19Greenfield: $13.13Hawarden: $13.02Leon: $12.93Garner: $12.86Bellevue: $12.67Milford: $12.57New London: $12.56Lisbon: $12.50Dallas Center: $12.42Onawa: $12.32Monroe: $12.28Denver: $12.27Alta: $12.13Atkins: $11.99Hull: $11.79Columbus Junction: $11.71Cascade: $11.64West Branch: $11.63Mitchellville: $11.54Solon: $11.53Northwood: $11.28Williamsburg: $11.11Ely: $11.08Ogden: $10.99Carter Lake: $10.67Story City: $10.39Kalona: $10.37West Burlington: $10.15Peosta: $9.82Robins: $9.68Epworth: $9.42Fairfax: $8.10Eldora: $26.87$8.10 lowest$26.87 highestmiddle
See all 79
#PlaceRate per $1,000People
1Eldora$26.872,595
2Pocahontas$20.791,848
3Rockwell City$20.742,185
4Bloomfield$20.412,773
5Belmond$19.862,405
6Sibley$19.772,787
7Albia$19.703,579
8Sac City$19.691,992
9Eagle Grove$19.323,615
10West Liberty$18.683,724
11Toledo$18.212,372
12La Porte City$18.082,267
13Tama$17.742,997
14Clarion$17.742,751
15Britt$17.722,001
16Missouri Valley$17.682,638
17Madrid$16.932,824
18West Union$16.602,435
19Audubon$16.522,008
20Grundy Center$16.362,821
21Belle Plaine$16.342,335
22Colfax$16.252,305
23Durant$16.241,798
24Lamoni$16.152,072
25Cresco$16.133,890
26Marengo$16.102,415
27Postville$15.682,418
28Tipton$15.543,059
29Stuart$15.481,887
30Granger$15.222,095
31Sigourney$15.201,974
32Guttenberg$15.191,804
33Sumner$14.832,032
34Waukon$14.763,799
35Van Meter$14.601,840
36Rock Rapids$14.572,709
37Jesup$14.312,541
38Osage$14.293,559
39Parkersburg$14.151,986
40Ida Grove$14.101,988
41Lake Mills$13.822,077
42Emmetsburg$13.703,632
43Wilton$13.622,914
44New Hampton$13.443,433
45Wapello$13.292,026
46Hudson$13.192,916
47Center Point$13.192,578
48Greenfield$13.131,988
49Hawarden$13.022,630
50Leon$12.931,779
51Garner$12.863,049
52Bellevue$12.672,321
53Milford$12.573,258
54New London$12.561,853
55Lisbon$12.502,238
56Dallas Center$12.421,993
57Onawa$12.322,795
58Monroe$12.282,021
59Denver$12.271,955
60Alta$12.132,039
61Atkins$11.992,168
62Hull$11.792,459
63Columbus Junction$11.711,794
64Cascade$11.642,396
65West Branch$11.632,876
66Mitchellville$11.542,686
67Solon$11.533,284
68Northwood$11.282,047
69Williamsburg$11.113,380
70Ely$11.082,371
71Ogden$10.991,970
72Carter Lake$10.673,752
73Story City$10.393,439
74Kalona$10.372,762
75West Burlington$10.153,249
76Peosta$9.822,195
77Robins$9.683,362
78Epworth$9.422,042
79Fairfax$8.102,937

The $8.10 limit

Eldora’s general levy is $8.13 per $1,000 of taxable value in FY27, $0.03 above the limit; it has to come down in steps.4 222 of 934 Iowa cities have a higher general levy. All cities.

FY23 $8.10 · FY24 $8.10 · FY25 $8.37 · FY26 $8.37 · FY27 $8.13 (before FY25, the general levy alone)

Outside the limit: $18.75 more5

  • Total Employee Benefit Levies$9.41 · $611,968
  • Debt Service Levy$6.20 · $404,662
  • Liability, property & self insurance costs$3.14 · $203,989

Tax increment financing (TIF)

$284,504 of taxable value in Eldora is in TIF districts’ increment (0% of the city’s taxable value), 2025 valuations, taxed in FY27.6 It budgeted $12,674 in TIF revenue for FY25.

$254,442
$28,076

What that value would raise at each government’s rate, FY277

Taxes on TIF value go to the city’s TIF fund instead of the governments that levy them, including about $5,883 of the city’s own.

  • Hardin County$2,326
YearTIF revenue
FY16$8,957
FY17$254,442
FY18$226,603
FY19$15,807
FY20$5,722
FY23$28,076
Show the numbers
YearTIF revenue
FY16$8,957
FY17$254,442
FY18$226,603
FY19$15,807
FY20$5,722
FY23$28,076

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.

  • Total Employee Benefit Levies$611,96835%
  • Consolidate General Fund$528,30630%
  • Debt Service Levy$404,66223%
  • Liability, property & self insurance costs$203,98912%

Budget and spending

Reading a local budget

Where each dollar of Eldora’s budget goes, FY26

Business Type / Enterprise: 35¢ of every dollar35¢Public Safety: 34¢ of every dollar34¢Public Works: 8¢ of every dollar8¢Debt Service: 7¢ of every dollar7¢General Government: 6¢ of every dollarEverything else: 10¢ of every dollar10¢

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 78 Iowa cities closest in size (1,800–3,900 people).

Where it goesOf each dollarCities this size (78)
Business Type / Enterprise35¢39¢
Public Safety34¢12¢
Public Works8¢10¢
Debt Service7¢7¢
General Government6¢6¢
Everything else10¢25¢

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.

  • Public Safety$2.0M46%
  • Public Works$618,94515%
  • Debt Service$518,53412%
  • Culture and Recreation$479,25411%
  • General Government$463,05511%
  • Community and Economic Development$124,5853%
  • Capital Projects$101,6092%

The state’s FY27 file doesn’t include business type / enterprise yet ($2.7M in FY26), so this total is low.

Budget compared with what it spent, FY23
FunctionBudgetSpent
Public Works$2.4M$486,803
Public Safety$1.3M$1.7M
Health and Social Services$44,650$37,948
General Government$429,631$507,473
Debt Service$569,032$563,000
Culture and Recreation$383,122$416,877
Community and Economic Development$12,279$40,410
Capital Projects$6,200$2.0M
Business Type / Enterprise$1.4M$1.4M

What it spent each year

FY24 left out8

$7.2M

Debt, reserves and audits

How local debt works · What an audit tells you

What Eldora owes

$4.2M at June 30, 2026: $1,588 per resident. 443rd most per resident of 939 Iowa places of its kind (the list).9

$8.9M
$4.2M
June 30OwedPer resident
2026$4.2M$1,588
2025$5.2M$1,948
2024$5.2M$1,965
2023$5.9M$2,221
2022$6.6M$2,495
2021$4.6M$1,737
2020$5.7M$2,142
2019$6.6M$2,475
2018$7.4M$2,785
2017$7.3M$2,748
2016$8.0M$2,997
2015$7.4M$2,766
2014$8.3M$3,124
2013$8.9M$3,340
2012$8.8M$3,294
2011$7.8M$2,914
2010$7.7M$2,909
Show the numbers
June 30OwedPer resident
2026$4.2M$1,588
2025$5.2M$1,948
2024$5.2M$1,965
2023$5.9M$2,221
2022$6.6M$2,495
2021$4.6M$1,737
2020$5.7M$2,142
2019$6.6M$2,475
2018$7.4M$2,785
2017$7.3M$2,748
2016$8.0M$2,997
2015$7.4M$2,766
2014$8.3M$3,124
2013$8.9M$3,340
2012$8.8M$3,294
2011$7.8M$2,914
2010$7.7M$2,909

Down 45% since 2010.

The 5% limit10

General obligation debt is $3.0M, 50% of the limit of about $6.1M (5% of $122.8M, the full value of its taxable property in 2024).

10 obligations at June 30, 2026
KindForPaid off byOwed
General Obligation2021A 11th ST Project2034$1.4M
General Obligation2022A HCSB 11th ST Project2033$974,815
Revenue BondsDump Truck, Ambulance, and Police Tasers2035$805,678
General Obligation2017A - Washington ST project and refinance of 2011 bond2028$414,650
Revenue BondsSewer Revenue Bond refinance2027$280,500
General Obligation2017B - Washington Street project2027$124,200
General Obligation2022 USDA Ambulance2030$104,206
Revenue Bonds2010 - SRF water series A2030$52,222
General Obligation2023 Green Belt PD Tahoe2029$49,416
Loans2024 Police Tahoe2031$44,868

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 balances11. Eldora’s latest audit has them: Financial Statement, period ending Sunday, June 30, 2024 (PDF).

Audits12

The latest: Financial Statement for the period ending Sunday, June 30, 2024 (PDF), released Wednesday, July 22, 2026, by a CPA firm.

AI summary13

  • The city had deficit balances in several funds, including $411,176 in the General Fund, $70,566 in Special Revenue, Trust, and Agency accounts, and $2,914 in the Grant Fund.
  • Spending exceeded the approved budget in the health and social services and community and economic development functions.
  • The city lacked the internal systems and expertise to prepare required financial statements and footnotes, and failed to always publish required financial summaries in the council minutes.
  • The city stated it will amend budgets correctly in the future, has corrected the publication of minutes, and is evaluating how to handle financial reporting and fund deficits.
The findings, as the report states them
Schedule of Findings Year ended June 30,2024 Response- The city clerk is currently reconciling the bank and another employee is entering accounts payable. The finance committee is now reviewing and signing off on the bank reconciliations. We will also continue to provide the council with copies of financial reports. This helps mitigate the lack of segregation noted above Conclusion- Response accepted. 2024-002 Preparation of Financial Statements Criteria - Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining internal controls over financial reporting and procedures related to the fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Condition - The City does not have an internal control system designed to provide the preparation of the financial statements, including the accompanying footnotes, as required by generally accepted accounting principles. Cause - The staff has not obtained the expertise necessary to prepare the financial statements, including the accompanying footnotes. Effect - The audit firm was requested to draft the financial statements and accompanying notes to the financial statements, which is not unusual in an organization of your size. Recommendation- We realize that obtaining the expertise necessary to prepare the fmancial statements, including all necessary disclosures, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles can be considered costly and ineffective. However, it is the responsibility of the City's management and those charged with governance to make the decision whether to accept the degree of risk associated with this condition because of cost or other considerations. Response -Management feels that committing the resources necessary to remain current on GASB reporting requirements and corresponding footnote disclosures would lack benefit in relation to the cost but will continue evaluating on a going forward basis. Conclusion- Response accepted. 59 ### Page 66 City of Eldora, Iowa Schedule of FindingsYear ended June 30, 2024Part II: Other Findings Related to Statutory Reporting:2024-A Certified Budget- Disbursements during the year ended June 30, 2024 exceeded the amounts budgeted in the health and social services and community and economic development functions. Chapter 384.20 of the Code oflowa states, in part, "Publicmonies may not be expended or encumbered except under an annual or continuing appropriation." Recommendation - The budget was amended, but should be amended in sufficient amounts and review the proper function category before the disbursements exceed the budget. Response - The budget will be amended in sufficient amounts and in the proper function category in the future, if applicable. Conclusion - Response accepted. 2024-B Questionable Disbursements - No disbursements were noted that may not meet the requirements of public purpose as defined in an Attorney General's opinion dated April25, 1979. 2024-C Travel Expense- No disbursements of City money for travel expenses of spouses of City officials or employees were noted. 2024-D Business Transactions - Business transactions between the City and City officials are detailed as follows: Name, Title and Transaction Business Connection Description Amount Aaron Budweg- AdministratorOwner of Buds Laundromat TIF Rebate60 ### Page 67 City of Eldora, Iowa Schedule of Findings Year ended June 30, 2024Per Chapter 362.5 of the Code of Iowa, this transaction does not appear to be a conflict of interest as it was less than $6,000 during the fiscal year. It was also noted that the council approved the TIF rebate agreement in a prior fiscal year.2024-E Restricted Donor Activity - No transactions were noted between the City, City officials, City employees and restricted donors in compliance with Chapter 68B of the Code ofiowa.2024-F Bond Coverage - Surety bond coverage of City officials and employees is in accordance with statutory provisions. The amount of coverage is reviewed annually to ensure that coverage is adequate for current operations.2024-G Council Minutes - No transactions were found that we believe should have been approved in the City Council minutes but were not. However, the publications did not always include the summary of receipts, summary of disbursements by fund and list of claims and purpose as required by the Code ofiowa.Recommendation- The City should comply with the Code ofiowa and publish the minutes as required. Response- There was some turnover in the clerk's office and the information was not always published as required. We have corrected this now and all the items required should be included as required in the future. Conclusion - Response accepted.2024-H Deposits and Investments - No instances of non-compliance with the deposit and investment provisions of Chapters 12B and 12C of the Code ofiowa and the City's investment policy were noted.2024-l Revenue Bonds and Notes- No instances of non-compliance with the revenue bond and note resolutions were noted.2024-J Urban Renewal Report- The Annual Urban Renewal Report was properly certified to the Iowa Department ofManagement on or before December I and no exceptions were noted. 61 ### Page 68 City of Eldora, Iowa Schedule of Findings Year ended June 30,2024 2025-J Financial Condition - The Special Revenue Funds, Trust and Agency account had a deficit balance of$70,566 the Grant Fund had a deficit balance of$2914, and the General Fund had a deficit balance of$411 ,176 at June 30, 2024. Recommendation - The City should investigate alternatives to eliminate these deficits. Response- See note 14 to the financial statements to see how City officials plan to eliminate these deficits. Conclusion- Response accepted. 62
15 earlier reports for Eldora

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? 14

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: $356,293 in FY25, down 8% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 26% less. Grants are below.

Show the numbers
SourceFY22FY23FY24FY25
Road Use Tax (streets)$369,837$366,459$376,156$336,700
Commercial and industrial tax replacement (“backfill”)$31,348$27,431$23,512$19,593

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.

$434,027
$8,649
  • Iowa DOT projects$6,85779%
  • State grants$1,79221%
YearGrants and projects
FY19$6,269
FY20$10,141
FY21$48,637
FY22$26,379
FY23$434,027
FY24$2,367
FY25$8,649
Show the numbers
YearGrants and projects
FY19$6,269
FY20$10,141
FY21$48,637
FY22$26,379
FY23$434,027
FY24$2,367
FY25$8,649

Has it kept up with prices?

Each source from FY19 to FY25, after inflation.

  • Road Use Tax (streets)−24%$352,935 → $336,700, down 5% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 24% less
  • Commercial and industrial tax replacement (“backfill”)−52%$32,285 → $19,593, down 39% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 52% 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 25% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 0% less.

$420,131
$413,938

Federal grants, for comparison: $232,392 in FY25.

Business awards

Every award statewide

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)15.

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.

Local races from civicAPI and county auditors for Eldora; 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.

  • Eldora City Council At-Large (2 seats)
    Now held by Don Lauchner, Maile A. Carter
  • Eldora Mayor
    Now held by Denny Barnard

Candidates as county auditors and civicAPI list them; a filing can take a few days to appear here16.

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 ballot17.

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