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West Liberty

Muscatine County · How cities work

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$3,420 a yearproperty tax on a $200,000 home here, FY27, for every local government ($40.58 per $1,000 of taxable value)1
$1,570 a yearof that goes to the city ($18.68 per $1,000)
$1.8Mproperty taxes the city levies, FY27
$8.9Mcity 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.

  • Dana DominguezWest Liberty City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
  • Mark Danner SmithWest Liberty Mayor · elected November 4, 2025
  • Omar MartinezWest Liberty City Council At-Large · elected November 4, 2025
  • Cara McFerrenWest Liberty City Council At-Large · elected November 7, 2023
  • Joshua Shiltz CostaWest Liberty City Council At-Large · elected November 7, 2023
  • Tim ParizekWest Liberty 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 CouncilAgenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • City Council members may attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the Deepu Chowk Housing Development on Thursday, October 8, at 11:00 a.m.
  • The event will take place on E 8th Street at property owned by Giri LLC.
  • This is not an official meeting, and no city business or official actions will be discussed or taken.
City CouncilAgenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • The Council will hold a public hearing regarding a second budget amendment for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • A public hearing will be held regarding a request from DKD Development and Harvest Development to annex 24.27 acres of land north of E 17th Street and change its zoning from Agricultural to Residential.
  • The Council will consider liquor license applications for Puebla Mexican Restaurant and the New York Dollar Store.
  • Discussion items include a request from the West Liberty Community School District for street closures for the Homecoming Parade on September 23rd, reposting a request for banking services, and an award notification for the Deepu Chowk Housing Development.
  • The Council will consider approving a change order for M.J. Electric, LLC, regarding the East 6th Street electric relocation and underground conversion project.
  • The Council will review vendor claims totaling $684,862.85 and library pre-paid claims of $33,600.90.
City CouncilAgenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • A public hearing will be held regarding the transfer of ambulance service equipment, inventory, and finances from the City of West Liberty to the West Liberty and Rural Townships Fire and Rescue Agency.
  • A public hearing will be held regarding a request from DKD Development and Harvest Development to annex a 49.24-acre parcel of land located north of E 17th Street.
  • The Council will discuss the Kimberly Park Pool, job postings for a City Clerk and Financial Administrative Assistant, and a contract for Jensen Rental Inspections to manage rental inspections.
  • Other business includes approving a driveway cost-sharing agreement for 1240 Eagle Court, approving an economic development grant reimbursement to Yolanda’s, and accepting the resignation of the City Clerk/Finance Officer.
  • The Council will set dates for upcoming public hearings regarding a budget amendment and zoning for DKD Development/Harvest Development.
City CouncilAgenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • Hold a public hearing to approve the first budget amendment for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • Discuss and decide on next steps regarding a pool study from ISG and a natural gas feasibility study.
  • Discuss hiring Mike Kitsmiller and options for the sustainable operation of the West Liberty Police Department.
  • Consider several resolutions regarding city operations, including repairs to a boiler at the City Administration Building, setting wages for new hires in Parks and Recreation and the Library, setting the Electric Superintendent's salary, updating the Chief of Police job description, and approving a…
  • Discuss and vote on changes to fire protection and ambulance services, including the expansion of the West Liberty and Rural Townships Fire & Rescue Agency and the termination of the current ambulance service arrangement.
  • Review purchases for the Electric Department, including a Vermeer VX50-500 Hydrovac Unit and an Omega Super Pro ultrasonic parts washer, and approve an agreement for the West Liberty Army National Guard Child Care Support Initiative.
City CouncilAgenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • Discuss the West Liberty Police Department and the timeline for hiring a new Police Chief.
  • Consider a maintenance agreement with Firefly Reliability, LLC for Solar Turbine Units 5 and 6.
  • Review a proposal for leadership development and management training for the city.
  • Consider an agreement with LEV Energy Advisors (Latham, Ervin, Vognsen & Associates, Inc.) for an electric utility evaluation study.
  • Discuss a resolution to identify official locations for traffic control and regulatory signs throughout the city.
  • Set August 18th, 2026, as the date for a public hearing regarding a budget amendment for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
City CouncilAgenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • The Council will hold a public hearing regarding a property transfer from the City of West Liberty to the West Liberty and Rural Townships Fire and Rescue Agency at 109 E 2nd Street.
  • The Council will consider a resolution to pay the West Liberty and Rural Townships Fire and Rescue Agency its entire budgeted amount of $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • There will be a discussion regarding an application from the West Liberty Farmers Market to extend their season from August 26, 2026, to October 28, 2026, which includes requests for event assistance and street closures.
  • The Council will review a resolution to update a contract agreement.
  • The Council will review vendor voucher claims totaling $769,845.38.
City CouncilAgenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • Hold a public hearing regarding a proposed lease agreement between the City of West Liberty and the West Liberty and Rural Townships Fire and Rescue Agency to use an ambulance for the West Liberty EMS Department.
  • Set a date for a July 7, 2026, public hearing regarding the transfer of property to the West Liberty and Rural Townships Fire and Rescue Agency.
  • Consider a new tobacco license for the New York Dollar Store.
  • Consider a 12-month Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Liberty Public House.
City CouncilAgenda (PDF)

AI summary

  • Discuss and potentially vote on extending EMS services under a Memorandum of Understanding to continue operations under the City of West Liberty.
  • Consider several construction and utility items, including accepting a bid from MJ Electric for the E 6th Street Reconstruction Project, accepting a change order from Triple B Construction for that same project, and approving a bid extension for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Baseline Improvements…
  • Review resolutions regarding a settlement agreement, the disposal of old computers from the City Administration Building, transferring funds for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and selecting a new financial institution for banking services.
  • Approve tobacco licenses for Dollar General, Giri BP, Casey’s General Store, and Jeff’s Market, as well as a retail alcohol license for Arty’s Ice Cream & Grill.
  • Set a date for a budget amendment public hearing on July 7, 2026, and schedule upcoming Utility Committee and Building and Grounds meetings.

Property taxes

Where a property tax dollar goes in West Liberty

The combined rate in most of West Liberty is $40.58 per $1,000 of taxable value (FY27). The city sets only its own piece. Estimate your bill.

Compared with places this size4

West Liberty’s city property tax rate of $18.68 per $1,000 is the 8th highest of 67 Iowa cities with 2,500–5,600 people. The middle of the group is $14.57.

Eldora: $26.87Red Oak: $20.65Bloomfield: $20.41Sibley: $19.77Albia: $19.70Eagle Grove: $19.32Iowa Falls: $18.86Chariton: $18.37Tama: $17.74Clarion: $17.74Missouri Valley: $17.68Clarinda: $17.25Madrid: $16.93Centerville: $16.85Algona: $16.75Grundy Center: $16.36Vinton: $16.25Winterset: $16.15Cresco: $16.13Humboldt: $16.00Forest City: $15.77Tipton: $15.54Sheldon: $15.33Harlan: $15.07Shenandoah: $15.02Manchester: $14.96Jefferson: $14.88Hampton: $14.86Carlisle: $14.82Cherokee: $14.82Glenwood: $14.77Waukon: $14.76Rock Rapids: $14.57Monticello: $14.49Osceola: $14.37Jesup: $14.31Windsor Heights: $14.30Osage: $14.29Rock Valley: $13.76Sergeant Bluff: $13.70Emmetsburg: $13.70Wilton: $13.62Mount Vernon: $13.50New Hampton: $13.44Hudson: $13.19Center Point: $13.19Hawarden: $13.02Garner: $12.86Camanche: $12.75Le Claire: $12.64Milford: $12.57Onawa: $12.32Huxley: $11.68West Branch: $11.63Mitchellville: $11.54Solon: $11.53Williamsburg: $11.11Carter Lake: $10.67Story City: $10.39Kalona: $10.37Dyersville: $10.27Spirit Lake: $10.17West Burlington: $10.15Robins: $9.68Fairfax: $8.10Evansdale: $8.00West Liberty: $18.68$8.00 lowest$26.87 highestmiddle
See all 67
#PlaceRate per $1,000People
1Eldora$26.872,595
2Red Oak$20.655,420
3Bloomfield$20.412,773
4Sibley$19.772,787
5Albia$19.703,579
6Eagle Grove$19.323,615
7Iowa Falls$18.864,993
8West Liberty$18.683,724
9Chariton$18.374,278
10Tama$17.742,997
11Clarion$17.742,751
12Missouri Valley$17.682,638
13Clarinda$17.255,334
14Madrid$16.932,824
15Centerville$16.855,345
16Algona$16.755,341
17Grundy Center$16.362,821
18Vinton$16.254,962
19Winterset$16.155,421
20Cresco$16.133,890
21Humboldt$16.004,774
22Forest City$15.774,199
23Tipton$15.543,059
24Sheldon$15.335,584
25Harlan$15.074,898
26Shenandoah$15.024,878
27Manchester$14.965,283
28Jefferson$14.884,148
29Hampton$14.864,340
30Carlisle$14.824,381
31Cherokee$14.825,186
32Glenwood$14.775,250
33Waukon$14.763,799
34Rock Rapids$14.572,709
35Monticello$14.494,095
36Osceola$14.375,585
37Jesup$14.312,541
38Windsor Heights$14.305,106
39Osage$14.293,559
40Rock Valley$13.764,024
41Sergeant Bluff$13.705,335
42Emmetsburg$13.703,632
43Wilton$13.622,914
44Mount Vernon$13.504,518
45New Hampton$13.443,433
46Hudson$13.192,916
47Center Point$13.192,578
48Hawarden$13.022,630
49Garner$12.863,049
50Camanche$12.754,536
51Le Claire$12.644,776
52Milford$12.573,258
53Onawa$12.322,795
54Huxley$11.684,737
55West Branch$11.632,876
56Mitchellville$11.542,686
57Solon$11.533,284
58Williamsburg$11.113,380
59Carter Lake$10.673,752
60Story City$10.393,439
61Kalona$10.372,762
62Dyersville$10.274,559
63Spirit Lake$10.175,548
64West Burlington$10.153,249
65Robins$9.683,362
66Fairfax$8.102,937
67Evansdale$8.004,515

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$762,37142%
  • Debt Service Levy$548,33330%
  • Total Employee Benefit Levies$448,07925%
  • Liability, property & self insurance costs$59,7443%

Budget and spending

Where each dollar of West Liberty’s budget goes, FY26

Business Type / Enterprise: 65¢ of every dollar65¢Capital Projects: 12¢ of every dollar12¢Public Safety: 8¢ of every dollarCulture and Recreation: 6¢ of every dollarDebt Service: 5¢ of every dollarEverything else: 5¢ of every dollar$1$1
Where it goesOf each dollarCities this size (66)
Business Type / Enterprise65¢37¢
Capital Projects12¢17¢
Public Safety8¢13¢
Culture and Recreation6¢8¢
Debt Service5¢8¢
Everything else5¢17¢

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 66 Iowa cities closest in size (2,500–5,600 people).

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$3.2M36%
  • General Government$2.2M25%
  • Public Safety$1.1M12%
  • Debt Service$869,56510%
  • Culture and Recreation$754,4339%
  • Public Works$488,5006%
  • Community and Economic Development$261,4133%

The state’s FY27 file doesn’t include business type / enterprise yet ($12.2M in FY26), so this total is low.

Budget compared with what it spent, FY23
FunctionBudgetSpent
Public Works$625,800$546,432
Public Safety$1.4M$1.3M
Health and Social Services$0$0
General Government$348,150$335,559
Debt Service$499,212$544,780
Culture and Recreation$1.2M$1.3M
Community and Economic Development$343,700$167,392
Capital Projects$1.8M$796,943
Business Type / Enterprise$8.6M$9.9M

What it spent each year

$14.9M
’17’18’19’20’21’22’23

State money

What the state sends the city

Sales tax and property tax credits the state paid the city: down 0% since FY23; down 9% after inflation.

In today's dollarsActual dollars
$400,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000’23’24’25’26Today's $Actual
$400,000$500,000$600,000$700,000$800,000’23’24’25’26Today's $Actual
Show the numbers
ProgramFY27FY26FY25FY24FY23
Local option sales tax$50,563$617,942$626,160$625,091$620,455

Elections

Most recent: November 4, 2025

City · 2

2 seats: the top 2 win.

Local races from civicAPI and county auditors for West Liberty; official results are on each county auditor’s site.

Related places

At the Statehouse and in Congress5

Kerry Gruenhagen (Sen. 41)Bobby Kaufmann (Rep. 82)

U.S. House:District 1

Muscatine CountyWest Liberty schools