Who runs it
The city council passes ordinances, adopts the budget and sets the city’s property tax.
No officials known 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 La Motte
Homes and businesses in most of La Motte pay a combined $30.04 per $1,000 of taxable value (FY27). They pay it all to the Jackson County treasurer, who passes each government its share; the city sets and gets only its own piece, $10.09. Estimate your bill.
- Andrew schools$11.9040%
- City of La Motte$10.0934%
- Jackson County$5.2818%
- Eastern Iowa Community College$1.043%
- Jackson County Hospital$0.873%
- Jackson County Assessor$0.642%
- Jackson County Extension (ISU Extension and Outreach)$0.21<1%
Rates over time
Per $1,000 of taxable value: the typical combined rate people in La Motte pay, and the city government’s own piece of it.
| Year | Combined | City’s own |
|---|---|---|
| FY20 | $28.42 | $9.48 |
| FY21 | $28.41 | $9.56 |
| FY22 | $28.16 | $9.35 |
| FY23 | $28.14 | $9.47 |
| FY24 | $30.34 | $9.93 |
| FY25 | $30.79 | $10.22 |
| FY26 | $30.69 | $10.28 |
| FY27 | $30.57 | $10.09 |
Show the numbers
| Year | Combined | City’s own |
|---|---|---|
| FY20 | $28.42 | $9.48 |
| FY21 | $28.41 | $9.56 |
| FY22 | $28.16 | $9.35 |
| FY23 | $28.14 | $9.47 |
| FY24 | $30.34 | $9.93 |
| FY25 | $30.79 | $10.22 |
| FY26 | $30.69 | $10.28 |
| FY27 | $30.57 | $10.09 |
Compared with places this size3
La Motte’s city property tax rate of $10.09 per $1,000 is the 58th lowest of 197 Iowa cities with 160–350 people. The middle of the group is $11.78.
See all 197
| # | 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 | Massena | $18.23 | 352 |
| 17 | Hillsboro | $17.68 | 158 |
| 18 | Ringsted | $17.65 | 346 |
| 19 | Pierson | $17.12 | 335 |
| 20 | Pisgah | $17.09 | 248 |
| 21 | Lakota | $16.84 | 261 |
| 22 | Marble Rock | $16.78 | 258 |
| 23 | Auburn | $16.65 | 253 |
| 24 | Prescott | $16.53 | 186 |
| 25 | Irwin | $16.46 | 320 |
| 26 | Montour | $16.37 | 199 |
| 27 | Corwith | $16.22 | 259 |
| 28 | Deep River | $16.18 | 243 |
| 29 | Waucoma | $16.17 | 235 |
| 30 | Granville | $16.00 | 302 |
| 31 | Minburn | $15.75 | 317 |
| 32 | Little Sioux | $15.74 | 170 |
| 33 | Moorhead | $15.68 | 186 |
| 34 | Onslow | $15.63 | 198 |
| 35 | Linden | $15.62 | 206 |
| 36 | Kamrar | $15.47 | 178 |
| 37 | Peterson | $15.27 | 321 |
| 38 | Greeley | $15.23 | 216 |
| 39 | Riverton | $14.94 | 243 |
| 40 | Marathon | $14.89 | 221 |
| 41 | Ryan | $14.84 | 348 |
| 42 | Ladora | $14.74 | 223 |
| 43 | Magnolia | $14.68 | 194 |
| 44 | Bagley | $14.63 | 230 |
| 45 | Davis City | $14.45 | 178 |
| 46 | Lucas | $14.40 | 176 |
| 47 | Garrison | $14.38 | 345 |
| 48 | Halbur | $14.37 | 268 |
| 49 | Crystal Lake | $14.36 | 243 |
| 50 | Kimballton | $14.27 | 281 |
| 51 | Steamboat Rock | $14.19 | 261 |
| 52 | Westgate | $14.05 | 190 |
| 53 | Mystic | $14.01 | 318 |
| 54 | Diagonal | $13.91 | 331 |
| 55 | Mondamin | $13.82 | 335 |
| 56 | Fertile | $13.70 | 300 |
| 57 | Stockport | $13.68 | 272 |
| 58 | Kellerton | $13.60 | 241 |
| 59 | Quimby | $13.58 | 245 |
| 60 | Meservey | $13.43 | 212 |
| 61 | Persia | $13.41 | 292 |
| 62 | Lacona | $13.38 | 336 |
| 63 | Leland | $13.31 | 240 |
| 64 | Ute | $13.26 | 326 |
| 65 | Harcourt | $13.21 | 257 |
| 66 | Bennett | $13.16 | 330 |
| 67 | Ridgeway | $13.10 | 261 |
| 68 | Farmersburg | $13.09 | 264 |
| 69 | Portsmouth | $13.05 | 187 |
| 70 | Clutier | $13.03 | 209 |
| 71 | Menlo | $12.92 | 347 |
| 72 | Templeton | $12.91 | 337 |
| 73 | Silver City | $12.87 | 244 |
| 74 | Patterson | $12.84 | 176 |
| 75 | Martelle | $12.83 | 250 |
| 76 | Malcom | $12.82 | 257 |
| 77 | Blencoe | $12.57 | 223 |
| 78 | Williams | $12.57 | 299 |
| 79 | Maurice | $12.56 | 271 |
| 80 | Clearfield | $12.50 | 277 |
| 81 | Kensett | $12.47 | 256 |
| 82 | Mccausland | $12.45 | 314 |
| 83 | Aurora | $12.40 | 165 |
| 84 | Modale | $12.34 | 284 |
| 85 | Mingo | $12.31 | 314 |
| 86 | Brandon | $12.29 | 331 |
| 87 | Blakesburg | $12.21 | 273 |
| 88 | Cushing | $12.18 | 225 |
| 89 | Hanlontown | $12.17 | 200 |
| 90 | Stout | $12.14 | 194 |
| 91 | Macedonia | $12.12 | 266 |
| 92 | Paton | $12.09 | 217 |
| 93 | Decatur | $12.08 | 174 |
| 94 | Kiron | $12.03 | 262 |
| 95 | Rembrandt | $12.03 | 199 |
| 96 | Shambaugh | $11.98 | 161 |
| 97 | Liscomb | $11.96 | 292 |
| 98 | New Providence | $11.88 | 233 |
| 99 | Parnell | $11.78 | 190 |
| 100 | Reasnor | $11.76 | 157 |
| 101 | Joice | $11.72 | 206 |
| 102 | Atalissa | $11.71 | 287 |
| 103 | Cantril | $11.69 | 224 |
| 104 | Kelley | $11.69 | 312 |
| 105 | Wadena | $11.65 | 201 |
| 106 | Exline | $11.60 | 157 |
| 107 | Cincinnati | $11.57 | 280 |
| 108 | Delta | $11.52 | 257 |
| 109 | Terril | $11.48 | 310 |
| 110 | Westside | $11.45 | 283 |
| 111 | College Springs | $11.44 | 172 |
| 112 | Holland | $11.37 | 261 |
| 113 | Mallard | $11.28 | 255 |
| 114 | Renwick | $11.16 | 228 |
| 115 | Dundee | $11.14 | 193 |
| 116 | Randolph | $11.08 | 183 |
| 117 | Rake | $11.05 | 179 |
| 118 | Frederika | $10.99 | 206 |
| 119 | Alexander | $10.90 | 165 |
| 120 | Goose Lake | $10.89 | 250 |
| 121 | Yale | $10.85 | 265 |
| 122 | Lambs Grove | $10.78 | 174 |
| 123 | Hornick | $10.74 | 255 |
| 124 | Woden | $10.68 | 183 |
| 125 | Bode | $10.64 | 304 |
| 126 | Cleghorn | $10.49 | 235 |
| 127 | Calamus | $10.47 | 348 |
| 128 | Danbury | $10.43 | 315 |
| 129 | Lytton | $10.38 | 274 |
| 130 | Stockton | $10.37 | 171 |
| 131 | Rhodes | $10.36 | 269 |
| 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 | Oakville | $8.89 | 198 |
| 158 | Harvey | $8.71 | 242 |
| 159 | Washta | $8.65 | 206 |
| 160 | Moorland | $8.61 | 169 |
| 161 | Ollie | $8.44 | 196 |
| 162 | Thor | $8.38 | 182 |
| 163 | Rowley | $8.31 | 264 |
| 164 | South English | $8.27 | 196 |
| 165 | Thurman | $8.26 | 162 |
| 166 | Boxholm | $8.11 | 177 |
| 167 | Bertram | $8.10 | 267 |
| 168 | Fostoria | $8.10 | 229 |
| 169 | Low Moor | $8.10 | 242 |
| 170 | Nichols | $8.10 | 317 |
| 171 | Laurel | $8.10 | 214 |
| 172 | Lineville | $8.10 | 194 |
| 173 | Luana | $7.98 | 303 |
| 174 | Lockridge | $7.92 | 245 |
| 175 | Mount Auburn | $7.86 | 162 |
| 176 | Haverhill | $7.86 | 164 |
| 177 | Grand River | $7.86 | 192 |
| 178 | Olds | $7.86 | 174 |
| 179 | Lidderdale | $7.68 | 162 |
| 180 | Pulaski | $7.58 | 259 |
| 181 | Sheldahl | $7.56 | 312 |
| 182 | Fredonia | $7.55 | 227 |
| 183 | Harpers Ferry | $7.49 | 273 |
| 184 | Alvord | $7.41 | 216 |
| 185 | Donahue | $6.83 | 336 |
| 186 | Packwood | $6.77 | 186 |
| 187 | Libertyville | $6.60 | 278 |
| 188 | Keswick | $6.49 | 238 |
| 189 | Crawfordsville | $6.44 | 278 |
| 190 | Holy Cross | $5.91 | 348 |
| 191 | Oakland Acres | $5.88 | 178 |
| 192 | Conesville | $5.86 | 350 |
| 193 | Maharishi Vedic City | $3.87 | 290 |
| 194 | Wahpeton | $3.19 | 337 |
| 195 | West Okoboji | $2.92 | 311 |
| 196 | Sherrill | $2.66 | 176 |
| 197 | Rickardsville | $2.27 | 204 |
The $8.10 limit
La Motte’s general levy is $7.95 per $1,000 of taxable value in FY27, $0.15 below the limit.4 468 of 934 Iowa cities have a higher general levy. All cities.
FY23 $8.10 · FY24 $8.10 · FY25 $8.35 · FY26 $8.11 · FY27 $7.95 (before FY25, the general levy alone)
Outside the limit: $2.14 more5
- Liability, property & self insurance costs$1.43 · $14,842
- Total Employee Benefit Levies$0.58 · $5,985
- Support of a Local Emerg. Mgmt. Comm.$0.13 · $1,385
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 La Motte’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 195 Iowa cities closest in size (160–350 people).
| Where it goes | Of each dollar | Cities this size (195) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Type / Enterprise | 35¢ | 35¢ |
| Public Works | 30¢ | 21¢ |
| General Government | 18¢ | 19¢ |
| Culture and Recreation | 15¢ | 8¢ |
| Public Safety | 3¢ | 9¢ |
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 ($119,300 in FY26), so this total is low.
Budget compared with what it spent, FY23
| Function | Budget | Spent |
|---|---|---|
| Public Works | $90,200 | $88,106 |
| Public Safety | $7,900 | $7,299 |
| Health and Social Services | $0 | $0 |
| General Government | $104,300 | $88,719 |
| Debt Service | $0 | $0 |
| Culture and Recreation | $30,000 | $22,965 |
| Community and Economic Development | $0 | $0 |
| Capital Projects | $0 | $0 |
| Business Type / Enterprise | $130,700 | $94,440 |
What it spent each year
FY24 left out6
Debt, reserves and audits
How local debt works · What an audit tells you
What La Motte owes
No debt at June 30, 2026.7
| June 30 | Owed | Per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0 | $0 |
| 2025 | $0 | $0 |
| 2024 | $18,000 | $76 |
| 2023 | $35,000 | $148 |
| 2022 | $52,000 | $219 |
| 2021 | $68,000 | $287 |
| 2020 | $84,000 | $354 |
| 2019 | $99,000 | $418 |
| 2018 | $114,000 | $481 |
| 2017 | $128,000 | $540 |
| 2016 | $142,000 | $599 |
| 2015 | $156,000 | $658 |
| 2014 | $182,000 | $768 |
| 2013 | $182,000 | $768 |
| 2012 | $195,000 | $823 |
| 2011 | $207,000 | $873 |
| 2010 | $219,000 | $924 |
Show the numbers
| June 30 | Owed | Per resident |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0 | $0 |
| 2025 | $0 | $0 |
| 2024 | $18,000 | $76 |
| 2023 | $35,000 | $148 |
| 2022 | $52,000 | $219 |
| 2021 | $68,000 | $287 |
| 2020 | $84,000 | $354 |
| 2019 | $99,000 | $418 |
| 2018 | $114,000 | $481 |
| 2017 | $128,000 | $540 |
| 2016 | $142,000 | $599 |
| 2015 | $156,000 | $658 |
| 2014 | $182,000 | $768 |
| 2013 | $182,000 | $768 |
| 2012 | $195,000 | $823 |
| 2011 | $207,000 | $873 |
| 2010 | $219,000 | $924 |
Down 100% since 2010.
The 5% limit8
General obligation debt is $0, 0% of the limit of about $1.0M (5% of $20.4M, the full value of its taxable property in 2024).
Money in reserve
The state’s budget files don’t include cities’ fund balances9. La Motte’s latest audit has them: Periodic Examination, period ending Monday, March 31, 2025 (PDF).
Audits10
The latest: Periodic Examination for the period ending Monday, March 31, 2025 (PDF), released Tuesday, March 31, 2026, by a CPA firm.
1 earlier report for La Motte
- Periodic Examination, period ending Sunday, December 31, 2017Monday, October 1, 2018
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: $31,558 in FY25, down 14% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 31% less. Grants are below.
Show the numbers
| Source | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | FY25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road Use Tax (streets) | $49,678 | $30,983 | $26,173 | $31,558 |
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 | $0 |
| FY21 | $0 |
| FY22 | $0 |
| FY23 | $18,989 |
| FY24 | $0 |
| FY25 | $0 |
Show the numbers
| Year | Grants and projects |
|---|---|
| FY19 | $0 |
| FY20 | $0 |
| FY21 | $0 |
| FY22 | $0 |
| FY23 | $18,989 |
| FY24 | $0 |
| FY25 | $0 |
Has it kept up with prices?
Each source from FY19 to FY25, after inflation.
- Road Use Tax (streets)−31%$36,545 → $31,558, down 14% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 31% 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 47% since FY19 while prices rose 25%, so it buys 17% more.
Federal grants, for comparison: $8,424 in FY20.
Business awards
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)12.
In a city that can hold a primary, filing runs Monday, August 9, 2027 to Thursday, August 26, 2027.
No local races loaded yet.
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 ballot13.
Related places
At the Statehouse and in Congress14
Carrie Koelker (Sen. 33)Dr. Steven P. Bradley (Rep. 66)
U.S. House:District 1