Who runs it
The city council passes ordinances, adopts the budget and sets the city’s property tax.
- Darin ToolNew Providence City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
- Lynn CaveNew Providence City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
- Melissa BerendsNew Providence City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
- Scott GleasonNew Providence Mayor · elected November 4, 2025
- Louis H. SchaferNew Providence City Council At-Large · elected November 7, 2023
- Scott GleasonNew Providence 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 New Providence
Homes and businesses in most of New Providence pay a combined $36.57 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, $11.88. Estimate your bill.
- Eldora-New Providence schools$14.0138%
- City of New Providence$11.8832%
- Hardin County$8.2623%
- Iowa Valley Community College$1.705%
- Hardin County Assessor$0.481%
- Hardin County Extension (ISU Extension and Outreach)$0.24<1%
Rates over time
Per $1,000 of taxable value: the typical combined rate people in New Providence pay, and the city government’s own piece of it.
| Year | Combined | City’s own |
|---|---|---|
| FY20 | $33.29 | $11.40 |
| FY21 | $34.70 | $11.48 |
| FY22 | $35.11 | $11.38 |
| FY23 | $34.06 | $11.08 |
| FY24 | $35.36 | $11.65 |
| FY25 | $34.84 | $10.84 |
| FY26 | $35.06 | $10.50 |
| FY27 | $36.57 | $11.88 |
Show the numbers
| Year | Combined | City’s own |
|---|---|---|
| FY20 | $33.29 | $11.40 |
| FY21 | $34.70 | $11.48 |
| FY22 | $35.11 | $11.38 |
| FY23 | $34.06 | $11.08 |
| FY24 | $35.36 | $11.65 |
| FY25 | $34.84 | $10.84 |
| FY26 | $35.06 | $10.50 |
| FY27 | $36.57 | $11.88 |
Compared with places this size3
New Providence’s city property tax rate of $11.88 per $1,000 is the 97th highest of 198 Iowa cities with 160–350 people. The middle of the group is $11.74.
See all 198
| # | Place | Rate per $1,000 | People |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fenton | $22.05 | 250 |
| 2 | Soldier | $21.92 | 176 |
| 3 | Coulter | $21.80 | 220 |
| 4 | Chelsea | $21.61 | 207 |
| 5 | Elliott | $21.61 | 328 |
| 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 | Garden Grove | $19.20 | 173 |
| 12 | Fort Atkinson | $19.19 | 300 |
| 13 | Hastings | $18.95 | 157 |
| 14 | Cumberland | $18.42 | 248 |
| 15 | Jamaica | $18.24 | 196 |
| 16 | Hillsboro | $17.68 | 158 |
| 17 | Ringsted | $17.65 | 346 |
| 18 | Pierson | $17.12 | 335 |
| 19 | Pisgah | $17.09 | 248 |
| 20 | Lakota | $16.84 | 261 |
| 21 | Marble Rock | $16.78 | 258 |
| 22 | Auburn | $16.65 | 253 |
| 23 | Prescott | $16.53 | 186 |
| 24 | Irwin | $16.46 | 320 |
| 25 | Montour | $16.37 | 199 |
| 26 | Corwith | $16.22 | 259 |
| 27 | Deep River | $16.18 | 243 |
| 28 | Waucoma | $16.17 | 235 |
| 29 | Granville | $16.00 | 302 |
| 30 | Minburn | $15.75 | 317 |
| 31 | Little Sioux | $15.74 | 170 |
| 32 | Moorhead | $15.68 | 186 |
| 33 | Onslow | $15.63 | 198 |
| 34 | Linden | $15.62 | 206 |
| 35 | Kamrar | $15.47 | 178 |
| 36 | Peterson | $15.27 | 321 |
| 37 | Greeley | $15.23 | 216 |
| 38 | Riverton | $14.94 | 243 |
| 39 | Marathon | $14.89 | 221 |
| 40 | Ryan | $14.84 | 348 |
| 41 | Ladora | $14.74 | 223 |
| 42 | Magnolia | $14.68 | 194 |
| 43 | Bagley | $14.63 | 230 |
| 44 | Davis City | $14.45 | 178 |
| 45 | Lucas | $14.40 | 176 |
| 46 | Garrison | $14.38 | 345 |
| 47 | Halbur | $14.37 | 268 |
| 48 | Crystal Lake | $14.36 | 243 |
| 49 | Kimballton | $14.27 | 281 |
| 50 | Steamboat Rock | $14.19 | 261 |
| 51 | Westgate | $14.05 | 190 |
| 52 | Mystic | $14.01 | 318 |
| 53 | Diagonal | $13.91 | 331 |
| 54 | Mondamin | $13.82 | 335 |
| 55 | Fertile | $13.70 | 300 |
| 56 | Stockport | $13.68 | 272 |
| 57 | Kellerton | $13.60 | 241 |
| 58 | Quimby | $13.58 | 245 |
| 59 | Meservey | $13.43 | 212 |
| 60 | Persia | $13.41 | 292 |
| 61 | Lacona | $13.38 | 336 |
| 62 | Leland | $13.31 | 240 |
| 63 | Ute | $13.26 | 326 |
| 64 | Harcourt | $13.21 | 257 |
| 65 | Bennett | $13.16 | 330 |
| 66 | Ridgeway | $13.10 | 261 |
| 67 | Farmersburg | $13.09 | 264 |
| 68 | Portsmouth | $13.05 | 187 |
| 69 | Clutier | $13.03 | 209 |
| 70 | Menlo | $12.92 | 347 |
| 71 | Templeton | $12.91 | 337 |
| 72 | Silver City | $12.87 | 244 |
| 73 | Patterson | $12.84 | 176 |
| 74 | Martelle | $12.83 | 250 |
| 75 | Malcom | $12.82 | 257 |
| 76 | Blencoe | $12.57 | 223 |
| 77 | Williams | $12.57 | 299 |
| 78 | Maurice | $12.56 | 271 |
| 79 | Clearfield | $12.50 | 277 |
| 80 | Kensett | $12.47 | 256 |
| 81 | Mccausland | $12.45 | 314 |
| 82 | Aurora | $12.40 | 165 |
| 83 | Modale | $12.34 | 284 |
| 84 | Mingo | $12.31 | 314 |
| 85 | Brandon | $12.29 | 331 |
| 86 | Blakesburg | $12.21 | 273 |
| 87 | Cushing | $12.18 | 225 |
| 88 | Hanlontown | $12.17 | 200 |
| 89 | Stout | $12.14 | 194 |
| 90 | Macedonia | $12.12 | 266 |
| 91 | Paton | $12.09 | 217 |
| 92 | Decatur | $12.08 | 174 |
| 93 | Kiron | $12.03 | 262 |
| 94 | Rembrandt | $12.03 | 199 |
| 95 | Shambaugh | $11.98 | 161 |
| 96 | Liscomb | $11.96 | 292 |
| 97 | New Providence | $11.88 | 233 |
| 98 | Parnell | $11.78 | 190 |
| 99 | Reasnor | $11.76 | 157 |
| 100 | Joice | $11.72 | 206 |
| 101 | Atalissa | $11.71 | 287 |
| 102 | Cantril | $11.69 | 224 |
| 103 | Kelley | $11.69 | 312 |
| 104 | Wadena | $11.65 | 201 |
| 105 | Exline | $11.60 | 157 |
| 106 | Cincinnati | $11.57 | 280 |
| 107 | Delta | $11.52 | 257 |
| 108 | Terril | $11.48 | 310 |
| 109 | Westside | $11.45 | 283 |
| 110 | College Springs | $11.44 | 172 |
| 111 | Holland | $11.37 | 261 |
| 112 | Mallard | $11.28 | 255 |
| 113 | Renwick | $11.16 | 228 |
| 114 | Dundee | $11.14 | 193 |
| 115 | Randolph | $11.08 | 183 |
| 116 | Rake | $11.05 | 179 |
| 117 | Frederika | $10.99 | 206 |
| 118 | Alexander | $10.90 | 165 |
| 119 | Goose Lake | $10.89 | 250 |
| 120 | Yale | $10.85 | 265 |
| 121 | Lambs Grove | $10.78 | 174 |
| 122 | Hornick | $10.74 | 255 |
| 123 | Woden | $10.68 | 183 |
| 124 | Bode | $10.64 | 304 |
| 125 | Cleghorn | $10.49 | 235 |
| 126 | Calamus | $10.47 | 348 |
| 127 | Danbury | $10.43 | 315 |
| 128 | Lytton | $10.38 | 274 |
| 129 | Stockton | $10.37 | 171 |
| 130 | Rhodes | $10.36 | 269 |
| 131 | Randall | $10.35 | 156 |
| 132 | Dedham | $10.28 | 221 |
| 133 | Deloit | $10.28 | 246 |
| 134 | Protivin | $10.28 | 264 |
| 135 | Meriden | $10.28 | 175 |
| 136 | Drakesville | $10.24 | 170 |
| 137 | Bronson | $10.14 | 294 |
| 138 | Hancock | $10.13 | 199 |
| 139 | Rudd | $10.13 | 339 |
| 140 | La Motte | $10.09 | 235 |
| 141 | Melvin | $10.05 | 196 |
| 142 | Defiance | $10.05 | 248 |
| 143 | Floyd | $10.02 | 297 |
| 144 | Barnum | $9.96 | 186 |
| 145 | Panama | $9.85 | 234 |
| 146 | Grafton | $9.83 | 212 |
| 147 | Ionia | $9.65 | 220 |
| 148 | Salix | $9.63 | 303 |
| 149 | Van Wert | $9.62 | 175 |
| 150 | Kirkville | $9.59 | 159 |
| 151 | Luxemburg | $9.58 | 240 |
| 152 | Rippey | $9.42 | 217 |
| 153 | Elberon | $9.16 | 178 |
| 154 | Dixon | $9.03 | 204 |
| 155 | Lester | $8.94 | 309 |
| 156 | Blairsburg | $8.93 | 175 |
| 157 | Prairieburg | $8.91 | 156 |
| 158 | Oakville | $8.89 | 198 |
| 159 | Harvey | $8.71 | 242 |
| 160 | Washta | $8.65 | 206 |
| 161 | Moorland | $8.61 | 169 |
| 162 | Ollie | $8.44 | 196 |
| 163 | Thor | $8.38 | 182 |
| 164 | Rowley | $8.31 | 264 |
| 165 | South English | $8.27 | 196 |
| 166 | Thurman | $8.26 | 162 |
| 167 | Boxholm | $8.11 | 177 |
| 168 | Bertram | $8.10 | 267 |
| 169 | Fostoria | $8.10 | 229 |
| 170 | Low Moor | $8.10 | 242 |
| 171 | Nichols | $8.10 | 317 |
| 172 | Laurel | $8.10 | 214 |
| 173 | Lineville | $8.10 | 194 |
| 174 | Luana | $7.98 | 303 |
| 175 | Lockridge | $7.92 | 245 |
| 176 | Mount Auburn | $7.86 | 162 |
| 177 | Haverhill | $7.86 | 164 |
| 178 | Grand River | $7.86 | 192 |
| 179 | Olds | $7.86 | 174 |
| 180 | Rose Hill | $7.86 | 156 |
| 181 | Lidderdale | $7.68 | 162 |
| 182 | Pulaski | $7.58 | 259 |
| 183 | Sheldahl | $7.56 | 312 |
| 184 | Fredonia | $7.55 | 227 |
| 185 | Harpers Ferry | $7.49 | 273 |
| 186 | Alvord | $7.41 | 216 |
| 187 | Donahue | $6.83 | 336 |
| 188 | Packwood | $6.77 | 186 |
| 189 | Libertyville | $6.60 | 278 |
| 190 | Keswick | $6.49 | 238 |
| 191 | Crawfordsville | $6.44 | 278 |
| 192 | Holy Cross | $5.91 | 348 |
| 193 | Oakland Acres | $5.88 | 178 |
| 194 | Maharishi Vedic City | $3.87 | 290 |
| 195 | Wahpeton | $3.19 | 337 |
| 196 | West Okoboji | $2.92 | 311 |
| 197 | Sherrill | $2.66 | 176 |
| 198 | Rickardsville | $2.27 | 204 |
The $8.10 limit
New Providence’s general levy is $8.10 per $1,000 of taxable value in FY27, at the limit.4 247 of 934 Iowa cities have a higher general levy. All cities.
FY23 $8.10 · FY24 $8.10 · FY25 $7.86 · FY26 $7.71 · FY27 $8.10 (before FY25, the general levy alone)
Outside the limit: $3.78 more5
- Liability, property & self insurance costs$3.29 · $13,163
- Total Employee Benefit Levies$0.49 · $1,961
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 New Providence’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 196 Iowa cities closest in size (160–350 people).
| Where it goes | Of each dollar | Cities this size (196) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Works | 46¢ | 21¢ |
| General Government | 30¢ | 19¢ |
| Public Safety | 18¢ | 9¢ |
| Culture and Recreation | 6¢ | 8¢ |
| Community and Economic Development | <1¢ | 2¢ |
| Everything else | <1¢ | <1¢ |
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.
Budget compared with what it spent, FY23
| Function | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|
| Public Works | $31,750 | $32,407 |
| Public Safety | $14,650 | $15,560 |
| Health and Social Services | $100 | $0 |
| General Government | $28,246 | $41,560 |
| Debt Service | $0 | $0 |
| Culture and Recreation | $11,000 | $8,327 |
| Community and Economic Development | $5,500 | $5,403 |
| Capital Projects | $45,000 | $35,000 |
| Business Type / Enterprise | $61,000 | $84,064 |
What it spent each year
FY24 left out6
Debt, reserves and audits
How local debt works · What an audit tells you
What New Providence owes
No debt at June 30, 2026.7
| June 30 | Owed | Per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0 | $0 |
| 2025 | $0 | $0 |
| 2024 | $0 | $0 |
| 2023 | $0 | $0 |
| 2022 | $0 | $0 |
| 2021 | $17,190 | $73 |
| 2020 | $33,956 | $144 |
| 2019 | $50,320 | $213 |
| 2018 | $66,270 | $281 |
| 2017 | $81,839 | $347 |
| 2016 | $97,163 | $412 |
| 2015 | $111,856 | $474 |
| 2014 | $126,304 | $535 |
| 2013 | $153,500 | $650 |
| 2012 | $206,181 | $874 |
| 2011 | $211,433 | $896 |
| 2010 | $216,435 | $917 |
Show the numbers
| June 30 | Owed | Per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0 | $0 |
| 2025 | $0 | $0 |
| 2024 | $0 | $0 |
| 2023 | $0 | $0 |
| 2022 | $0 | $0 |
| 2021 | $17,190 | $73 |
| 2020 | $33,956 | $144 |
| 2019 | $50,320 | $213 |
| 2018 | $66,270 | $281 |
| 2017 | $81,839 | $347 |
| 2016 | $97,163 | $412 |
| 2015 | $111,856 | $474 |
| 2014 | $126,304 | $535 |
| 2013 | $153,500 | $650 |
| 2012 | $206,181 | $874 |
| 2011 | $211,433 | $896 |
| 2010 | $216,435 | $917 |
Down 100% since 2010.
The 5% limit8
General obligation debt is $0, 0% of the limit of about $476,307 (5% of $9.5M, the full value of its taxable property in 2024).
Money in reserve
The state’s budget files don’t include cities’ fund balances9. New Providence’s latest audit has them: Periodic Examination, period ending Friday, March 31, 2023 (PDF).
Audits10
The latest: Periodic Examination for the period ending Friday, March 31, 2023 (PDF), released Friday, December 22, 2023, by a CPA firm.
2 earlier reports for New Providence
- Periodic Examination Follow-Up, period ending Monday, April 30, 2018Wednesday, October 3, 2018
- Periodic Examination, period ending Thursday, March 31, 2016Thursday, August 4, 2016
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? 11
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: $16,215 in FY25, up 14% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 9% less. Grants are below.
Show the numbers
| Source | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road Use Tax (streets) | $15,686 | $15,712 | $17,434 | $16,215 |
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 | $98 |
| FY21 | $0 |
| FY22 | $0 |
| FY23 | $0 |
| FY24 | $0 |
| FY25 | $0 |
Show the numbers
| Year | Grants and projects |
|---|---|
| FY19 | $0 |
| FY20 | $98 |
| FY21 | $0 |
| FY22 | $0 |
| FY23 | $0 |
| FY24 | $0 |
| FY25 | $0 |
Has it kept up with prices?
Each source from FY19 to FY25, after inflation.
- Road Use Tax (streets)−9%$14,250 → $16,215, up 14% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 9% 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 35% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 7% more.
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)12.
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.
- Darin Tool Winner3731.1%
- Melissa Berends Winner3428.6%
- Lynn Cave Winner3226.9%
- Theresa Landis-Aucoin 1613.4%
- Scott Gleason Unopposed41100.0%
Local races from civicAPI and county auditors for New Providence; 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.
- New Providence City Council At-Large (2 seats)Now held by Louis H. Schafer, Scott Gleason
- New Providence MayorNow held by Scott Gleason
Candidates as county auditors and civicAPI list them; a filing can take a few days to appear here13.
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 ballot14.
Related places
At the Statehouse and in Congress15
Annette Sweeney (Sen. 27)Joshua Meggers (Rep. 54)
U.S. House:District 2