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Local taxes › Iowa County › Marengo

City

Marengo

Iowa County · How cities work

$3,480 a yearproperty tax on a $200,000 home here, FY27, for every local government ($41.32 per $1,000 of taxable value)1
$1,360 a yearof that goes to the city ($16.10 per $1,000)
$1.2Mproperty taxes the city levies, FY27
$6.0Mcity 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.

  • John HinshawMarengo City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
  • Shawn HuedepohlMarengo City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
  • Travis SchlabachMarengo Mayor · elected November 4, 2025
  • William GeoghaganMarengo City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
  • Jennifer OlsonMarengo City Council At-Large · elected November 7, 2023
  • Karen Wayson-KislingMarengo 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.3

City Council · Monday, November 9, 2026Agenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • The Council will hold public hearings and final votes on new rules regarding e-bike and e-scooter violations, bicycle regulations (including sidewalk use and electronic device use), and solid waste control.
  • Discussion items include the FY26 Annual Finance Report, moving the December 23 meeting to December 30, and allowing credit card payments between meetings.
  • The Council will consider hiring Lynch-Dallas Legal as City Attorney and approving an agreement with the Iowa County Attorney’s Office for legal help with traffic offenses.
  • Business includes approving a payment for Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements, a tax abatement for 1230 William Avenue, and alcohol and fireworks permits for Big G Food Stores, Inc., the Iowa County Fair, and the Marengo Fire Department.
  • Chief Ben Gray will provide an update on public safety.
3 resolutions · 0 ordinances · 0 hearings
  • Motion, third readinga. Public Hearing and Third Reading of ORD. 559: Amendment to Chapter 4 – ScheduledFines, Adding Section 76A – E-Bike/E-Scooter Violations
  • Motion, third readingb. Public Hearing and Third Reading of ORD. 560: Amendment to Chapter 76 – BicycleRegulations; Adding 76.09(3) – Riding on Sidewalks; Adding Section 76.14 – Use of Electronic Devices While Riding
  • Motion, third readingc. Public Hearing and Third Reading of ORD. 561: Amendment to Chapter 105 – SolidWaste Control; Adding to Section 105.11(5) – Prohibited Practices
  • Resolutionc. Resolution #27-38: Approval of Lynch-Dallas Legal as City Attorney
  • Resolutiond. Resolution #27-39: Approval of 28E Agreement with Iowa County Attorney’s Office forlegal representation for traffic offenses
  • Resolutione. Resolution #27-40: Approving Pay Application #14 for Contract #1 – Wastewater TreatmentFacility Improvements
City Council · Wednesday, October 28, 2026Agenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • The Council will consider a resolution to authorize a loan of up to $43,535,000 in Hospital Revenue Bonds for the Compass Memorial Healthcare Project.
  • Officials will hold public hearings and second readings for new rules regarding e-bike and e-scooter violations, bicycle regulations (including sidewalk riding and electronic device use), and prohibited solid waste practices.
  • The agenda includes a request for a retail alcohol license for Family Dollar Stores of Iowa, LLC, tax abatement applications for 1275 Howard Avenue and 442 Garfield Street, and a fence agreement with Kristen Miller.
  • The Council will discuss changing the meeting schedule to once a month starting in 2027 and moving the November 11 meeting to November 9 due to the holiday.
  • Other business includes setting a hearing date for an Urban Renewal Plan amendment, resetting hearings for school bus and speed regulation rules, and receiving updates from Public Works and the Marengo Public Library.
4 resolutions · 0 ordinances · 0 hearings
  • Motion, second readinga. Public Hearing and Second Reading of ORD.559: Amendment to Chapter 4 –Scheduled Fines, Adding Section 76A – E-Bike/E-Scooter Violations
  • Motion, second readingb. Public Hearing and Second Reading of ORD. 560: Amendment to Chapter 76 – BicycleRegulations; Adding 76.09(3) – Riding on Sidewalks; Adding Section 76.14 – Use of Electronic Devices While Riding
  • Motion, second readingc. Public Hearing and Second Reading of ORD. 561: Amendment to Chapter 105 – SolidWaste Control; Adding to Section 105.11(5) – Prohibited Practices
  • Resolutione. Resolution #27-34: Resetting Public Hearing for Amending Section 62.01 (91) – Section321.372 – School Buses
  • Resolutionf. Resolution #27-35: Resetting Public Hearing for Amending Section 63.04 (2) - SpeedRegulations
  • Resolutiona. Resolution #27-36: Series Resolution authorizing and approving a Loan Agreement andproviding for the issuance and securing the payment of a not to exceed $43,535,000 Hospital Revenue Bond, Series 2026B (Compass Memorial Healthcare Project)
  • Resolutionb. Resolution #27-37: Resolution Setting Date for Public Hearing on Urban Renewal PlanAmendment for the Marengo Urban Renewal Area
City Council · Wednesday, October 14, 2026Agenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • Discuss financing options and the timeline for a reverse referendum regarding the expansion of the Fire Station and City Hall.
  • Hold public hearings and first readings for new rules regarding e-bike/e-scooter violations, bicycle regulations (including sidewalk riding and electronic device use), and solid waste control.
  • Consider new rules for speed regulations and school buses, and review a 28E agreement for enforcing tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product laws.
  • Approve payments for two wastewater treatment facility improvement contracts and certify the FY28 Tax Increment Financing (TIF) indebtedness.
  • Designate October 31, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as "Official" Trick or Treat Time.
  • Accept the resignation of City Attorney Gage Kensler and review September financial reports, including revenues totaling $889,870.53.
4 resolutions · 0 ordinances · 0 hearings
  • Motion, first readinga. Public Hearing and First Reading of ORD.559: Amendment to Chapter 4 – ScheduledFines, Adding Section 76A – E-Bike/E-Scooter Violations
  • Motion, first readingb. Public Hearing and First Reading of ORD. 560: Amendment to Chapter 76 – BicycleRegulations; Adding 76.09(3) – Riding on Sidewalks; Adding Section 76.14 – Use of Electronic Devices While Riding
  • Motion, first readingc. Public Hearing and First Reading of ORD. 561: Amendment to Chapter 105 – Solid WasteControl; Adding to Section 105.11(5) – Prohibited Practices
  • Resolutionc. Resolution #27-30: Setting Public Hearing for Amending Section 63.04 (2) - SpeedRegulations
  • Resolutiond. Resolution #27-31: Approving Pay Application #13 for Contract #1 – Wastewater TreatmentFacility Improvements
  • Resolutione. Resolution #27-32: Approving Pay Application #7 for Contract #2 – Wastewater TreatmentFacility Improvements
  • Resolutionf. Resolution #27-33: Setting Public Hearing for Amending Section 62.01 (91) – Section321.372 – School Buses
Show 5 more meetings
City Council · Wednesday, September 23, 2026Agenda (PDF)
City Council · Wednesday, September 16, 2026Agenda (PDF)
City Council · Wednesday, September 9, 2026Agenda (PDF)
City Council · Wednesday, August 26, 2026Agenda (PDF)
City Council · Wednesday, August 12, 2026Agenda (PDF)

Property taxes

How the bill is collected · What each levy is for

Who gets a property owner’s tax bill in Marengo

Homes and businesses in most of Marengo pay a combined $41.32 per $1,000 of taxable value (FY27). They pay it all to the Iowa County treasurer, who passes each government its share; the city sets and gets only its own piece, $16.10. Estimate your bill.

Rates over time

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

YearCombinedCity’s own
FY20$38.29$15.93
FY21$34.94$14.70
FY22$34.50$14.01
FY23$33.39$13.37
FY24$39.10$15.78
FY25$39.39$15.79
FY26$40.96$16.10
FY27$41.32$16.10
Show the numbers
YearCombinedCity’s own
FY20$38.29$15.93
FY21$34.94$14.70
FY22$34.50$14.01
FY23$33.39$13.37
FY24$39.10$15.78
FY25$39.39$15.79
FY26$40.96$16.10
FY27$41.32$16.10

Compared with places this size4

Marengo’s city property tax rate of $16.10 per $1,000 is the 26th highest of 89 Iowa cities with 1,600–3,600 people. The middle of the group is $13.62.

Eldora: $26.87Pocahontas: $20.79Rockwell City: $20.74Bloomfield: $20.41Belmond: $19.86Sibley: $19.77Albia: $19.70Sac City: $19.69Lake City: $19.32Eagle Grove: $19.32Toledo: $18.21La Porte City: $18.08Tama: $17.74Clarion: $17.74Britt: $17.72Missouri Valley: $17.68Madrid: $16.93Manson: $16.87West Union: $16.60Audubon: $16.52Grundy Center: $16.36Belle Plaine: $16.34Colfax: $16.25Durant: $16.24Lamoni: $16.15Pleasantville: $15.80Postville: $15.68Tipton: $15.54Stuart: $15.48Mount Ayr: $15.32Granger: $15.22Sigourney: $15.20Guttenberg: $15.19Sumner: $14.83Woodbine: $14.80Van Meter: $14.60Rock Rapids: $14.57Jesup: $14.31Osage: $14.29Urbana: $14.20Parkersburg: $14.15Ida Grove: $14.10Lake Mills: $13.82Wilton: $13.62Avoca: $13.51New Hampton: $13.44Wapello: $13.29Hudson: $13.19Center Point: $13.19Greenfield: $13.13Hawarden: $13.02Leon: $12.93Garner: $12.86Slater: $12.79Bellevue: $12.67Milford: $12.57New London: $12.56Lisbon: $12.50Dallas Center: $12.42Onawa: $12.32Remsen: $12.32Monroe: $12.28Denver: $12.27Alta: $12.13Reinbeck: $12.10Atkins: $11.99Blue Grass: $11.79Hull: $11.79Columbus Junction: $11.71Cascade: $11.64West Branch: $11.63Mitchellville: $11.54Solon: $11.53Prairie City: $11.38Northwood: $11.28Mediapolis: $11.27Williamsburg: $11.11Ely: $11.08Ogden: $10.99Farley: $10.91Moville: $10.67Story City: $10.39Kalona: $10.37West Burlington: $10.15Peosta: $9.82Robins: $9.68Epworth: $9.42Fairfax: $8.10Marengo: $16.10$8.10 lowest$26.87 highestmiddle
See all 89
#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
9Lake City$19.321,656
10Eagle Grove$19.323,615
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
18Manson$16.871,646
19West Union$16.602,435
20Audubon$16.522,008
21Grundy Center$16.362,821
22Belle Plaine$16.342,335
23Colfax$16.252,305
24Durant$16.241,798
25Lamoni$16.152,072
26Marengo$16.102,415
27Pleasantville$15.801,696
28Postville$15.682,418
29Tipton$15.543,059
30Stuart$15.481,887
31Mount Ayr$15.321,616
32Granger$15.222,095
33Sigourney$15.201,974
34Guttenberg$15.191,804
35Sumner$14.832,032
36Woodbine$14.801,707
37Van Meter$14.601,840
38Rock Rapids$14.572,709
39Jesup$14.312,541
40Osage$14.293,559
41Urbana$14.201,635
42Parkersburg$14.151,986
43Ida Grove$14.101,988
44Lake Mills$13.822,077
45Wilton$13.622,914
46Avoca$13.511,685
47New Hampton$13.443,433
48Wapello$13.292,026
49Hudson$13.192,916
50Center Point$13.192,578
51Greenfield$13.131,988
52Hawarden$13.022,630
53Leon$12.931,779
54Garner$12.863,049
55Slater$12.791,626
56Bellevue$12.672,321
57Milford$12.573,258
58New London$12.561,853
59Lisbon$12.502,238
60Dallas Center$12.421,993
61Onawa$12.322,795
62Remsen$12.321,681
63Monroe$12.282,021
64Denver$12.271,955
65Alta$12.132,039
66Reinbeck$12.101,673
67Atkins$11.992,168
68Blue Grass$11.791,707
69Hull$11.792,459
70Columbus Junction$11.711,794
71Cascade$11.642,396
72West Branch$11.632,876
73Mitchellville$11.542,686
74Solon$11.533,284
75Prairie City$11.381,722
76Northwood$11.282,047
77Mediapolis$11.271,679
78Williamsburg$11.113,380
79Ely$11.082,371
80Ogden$10.991,970
81Farley$10.911,723
82Moville$10.671,707
83Story City$10.393,439
84Kalona$10.372,762
85West Burlington$10.153,249
86Peosta$9.822,195
87Robins$9.683,362
88Epworth$9.422,042
89Fairfax$8.102,937

The $8.10 limit

Marengo’s general levy is $7.94 per $1,000 of taxable value in FY27, $0.16 below the limit.5 496 of 934 Iowa cities have a higher general levy. All cities.

FY23 $8.10 · FY24 $8.10 · FY25 $8.10 · FY26 $8.02 · FY27 $7.94 (before FY25, the general levy alone)

Outside the limit: $8.16 more6

  • Debt Service Levy$3.42 · $279,188
  • Total Employee Benefit Levies$3.11 · $229,969
  • Liability, property & self insurance costs$1.62 · $119,600

Tax increment financing (TIF)

$7.8M of taxable value in Marengo is in TIF districts’ increment (9% of the city’s taxable value), 2025 valuations, taxed in FY27.7 It budgeted $220,000 in TIF revenue for FY25.

$258,568
$184,500

What that value would raise at each government’s rate, FY278

Taxes on TIF value go to the city’s TIF fund instead of the governments that levy them, including about $98,281 of the city’s own.

  • Iowa Valley schools$87,397
  • Iowa County$50,487
YearTIF revenue
FY16$205,336
FY17$241,486
FY18$232,605
FY19$241,438
FY20$258,568
FY21$204,950
FY22$199,342
FY23$184,500
Show the numbers
YearTIF revenue
FY16$205,336
FY17$241,486
FY18$232,605
FY19$241,438
FY20$258,568
FY21$204,950
FY22$199,342
FY23$184,500

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.

  • Consolidate General Fund$586,36548%
  • Debt Service Levy$279,18823%
  • Total Employee Benefit Levies$229,96919%
  • Liability, property & self insurance costs$119,60010%

Budget and spending

Reading a local budget

Where each dollar of Marengo’s budget goes, FY26

Capital Projects: 63¢ of every dollar63¢Business Type / Enterprise: 10¢ of every dollar10¢Public Safety: 8¢ of every dollar8¢Debt Service: 6¢ of every dollarPublic Works: 5¢ of every dollarEverything else: 8¢ of every dollar8¢

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 88 Iowa cities closest in size (1,600–3,600 people).

Where it goesOf each dollarCities this size (88)
Capital Projects63¢14¢
Business Type / Enterprise10¢40¢
Public Safety8¢12¢
Debt Service6¢7¢
Public Works5¢10¢
Everything else8¢17¢

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.

  • Capital Projects$3.5M58%
  • Public Safety$593,61510%
  • Debt Service$558,6929%
  • Public Works$506,8498%
  • Culture and Recreation$442,1237%
  • General Government$317,3755%
  • Community and Economic Development$88,8501%
  • Health and Social Services$10,0000%

The state’s FY27 file doesn’t include business type / enterprise yet ($943,648 in FY26), so this total is low.

Budget compared with what it spent, FY23
FunctionBudgetSpent
Public Works$457,633$465,120
Public Safety$489,232$554,768
Health and Social Services$6,000$2,676
General Government$203,000$243,629
Debt Service$377,625$377,725
Culture and Recreation$281,592$299,431
Community and Economic Development$29,544$26,638
Capital Projects$718,108$1.0M
Business Type / Enterprise$846,240$805,506

What it spent each year

FY24 left out9

$7.6M

Debt, reserves and audits

How local debt works · What an audit tells you

What Marengo owes

$10.9M at June 30, 2026: $4,457 per resident. 153rd most per resident of 939 Iowa places of its kind (the list).10

$10.9M
June 30OwedPer resident
2026$10.9M$4,457
2025$5.5M$2,240
2024$5.9M$2,438
2023$1.4M$582
2022$1.8M$747
2021$2.5M$1,017
2020$3.3M$1,364
2019$3.2M$1,335
2018$3.2M$1,332
2017$4.0M$1,659
2016$4.1M$1,690
2015$4.1M$1,689
2014$4.8M$1,983
2013$5.1M$2,108
2012$5.4M$2,219
2011$6.0M$2,444
2010$6.6M$2,709
Show the numbers
June 30OwedPer resident
2026$10.9M$4,457
2025$5.5M$2,240
2024$5.9M$2,438
2023$1.4M$582
2022$1.8M$747
2021$2.5M$1,017
2020$3.3M$1,364
2019$3.2M$1,335
2018$3.2M$1,332
2017$4.0M$1,659
2016$4.1M$1,690
2015$4.1M$1,689
2014$4.8M$1,983
2013$5.1M$2,108
2012$5.4M$2,219
2011$6.0M$2,444
2010$6.6M$2,709

Up 65% since 2010.

The 5% limit11

General obligation debt is $4.5M, 59% of the limit of about $7.6M (5% of $152.3M, the full value of its taxable property in 2024).

5 obligations at June 30, 2026
KindForPaid off byOwed
Revenue BondsSewer Revenue Bonds, Series 20252046$5.8M
General ObligationGO Bond for Pool2043$3.5M
General ObligationGO Bond for New Public Works Building2034$890,000
Revenue BondsClean Water Program - Sewer Repairs and Rehabilitation Phase I & Phase II2035$527,000
General ObligationGO Bond for Drainage District's Levee Project2027$135,000

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 balances12. Marengo’s latest audit has them: Financial Statement, period ending Monday, June 30, 2025 (PDF).

Audits13

The latest: Financial Statement for the period ending Monday, June 30, 2025 (PDF), released Tuesday, October 28, 2025, by a CPA firm.

16 earlier reports for Marengo

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: $354,025 in FY25, up 8% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 14% less. Grants are below.

Show the numbers
SourceFY22FY23FY24FY25
Road Use Tax (streets)$338,918$335,083$343,950$345,817
Commercial and industrial tax replacement (“backfill”)–$9,630$9,848$8,208

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.

$221,314
$161,674
  • State grants$161,674100%
YearGrants and projects
FY19$8,854
FY20$9,728
FY21$3,666
FY22$15,123
FY23$15,685
FY24$221,314
FY25$161,674
Show the numbers
YearGrants and projects
FY19$8,854
FY20$9,728
FY21$3,666
FY22$15,123
FY23$15,685
FY24$221,314
FY25$161,674

Has it kept up with prices?

Each source from FY19 to FY25, after inflation.

  • Road Use Tax (streets)−16%$326,582 → $345,817, up 6% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 16% 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 4% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 17% less.

$407,771
$354,468

Federal grants, for comparison: $4,012 in FY24.

Business awards

Every award statewide

Elections

Running for mayor and city council

Filing opens Monday, August 23, 2027: in 285 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 Marengo; 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.

  • Marengo City Council At-Large (2 seats)
    Now held by Karen Wayson-Kisling, Jennifer Olson
  • Marengo Mayor
    Now held by Travis Schlabach

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.

Related places

At the Statehouse and in Congress18

Dawn Driscoll (Sen. 46)Judd Lawler (Rep. 91)

U.S. House:District 1

Iowa CountyIowa Valley schools