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Where do property taxes go? |
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It’s that time of year again - property taxes are due. When you pay your property taxes, you are investing in a number of important projects and services including public schools, law enforcement, emergency services, street maintenance, public parks and recreation, and more. Every penny of your property taxes stays in Palo Alto County.
Property taxes are not determined by a single individual or department. The County Assessor determines the value of property, not the tax rate or amount you pay, based on market data and trends. While some homes sell below their assessed value and others sell above, overall sales in the county should fall between 95-105% of the assessed value. Values go up when homes consistently sell above their assessed values. The taxable value of property is a percent of the assessed value, determined annually by the Iowa Department of Revenue. The local tax rate (dollars per thousand) is calculated by the County Auditor based on budgets submitted by the city and multiple other taxing authorities. Property taxes are then calculated by multiplying the tax rate by the taxable value of your property. Every property in Emmetsburg is taxed at the same rate. Your Property Tax Statement lists your net taxable value, the tax rate (36.6194 dollars per thousand for July 2019 - June 2020), and the percent of your property taxes that goes to each taxing authority.
Did you know that only about 38% of your property taxes go to the City of Emmetsburg? 34% of your taxes fund the Emmetsburg Community School District, and over 17% funds county services, roads, and more. About 5% of your taxes fund the Palo Alto County Hospital, and smaller amounts fund Iowa Lakes Community College, ISU Extension & Outreach, and mental health and disability services.
Although paying property taxes probably isn’t your favorite way to spend money, you are investing in the community. Take pride in the fact that you are doing your part to enhance education, improve infrastructure, support vital services and protections, and beautify our town!
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2021 Seasonal Employment
The City of Emmetsburg and Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities are accepting applications for the following seasonal positions: public properties workers, utilities workers, golf course workers, and community center staff (bartenders, banquet staff, kitchen prep/cooks, and servers. Duties, qualifications, hours of work, and application requirements vary for each position. Contact City Hall for more details and/or to obtain an application. Positions open until filled. EOE.
Community Garden Plots
Garden plots are available at the Emmetsburg Community Garden, located at 17th and State Street. The Community Garden has 100 plots, each 20x30 feet. Tilling is provided once in the spring, and hydrants are on-site. There is a $20 fee per plot to help offset the cost of water used. Households may reserve a maximum of three (3) plots. Applications are available at City Hall or through the “Emmetsburg Community Garden” Facebook page. For questions, contact Jenna Shirk 712-852-2550 or jshirk@emmetsburg.com.
Pet Licenses
It’s time to renew your animal license. Emmetsburg City Code, Chapter 56.02, states that every owner of a dog over the age of six months shall procure a dog license. The annual license fee is $5 for each male or female dog, and $3 for each neutered dog. To license your dog, you must have a current veterinarian’s certificate showing that the dog has been vaccinated for rabies.
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Message from the Chamber of Commerce |
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KEMB-LP radio and Chamber Channels 3/117.2 will bring the St. Patrick’s Day parade LIVE! to your television on Saturday, March 20 at 1:30. There will also be live coverage of the Miss Shamrock Pageant on Sunday, March 14 as the festivities begin at 3:00 PM from the Emmetsburg High School Auditorium. With the COVID-19 restrictions for attendance, Chamber Media will be there so everyone can enjoy.
It takes collaboration to make broadcast events possible and we appreciate the St. Pat’s Association for this opportunity. Many thanks go to Delbert Witzke of Mediacom Communications for setting up equipment and for videotaping the parade, and to Jeremy Ward of KEMB for broadcasting from the showmobile.
Also we thank our great sponsors for bringing these to you: Mayor Pat & Nancy Degen, AGP, Kirby’s Café, Hughes HealthMart Pharmacy/Riviera Theatre, Lakeside Senior Care, Martin-Mattice Funeral Home, Mike Wentzel of Farmers National Company, Northwest Communications, PACHS, Second Image Boutique, St. Pat’s Association, The Dental Loft, Woodford Equipment and The Reporter & Democrat.
Deb Hite
Director, Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce
712.852.2283
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Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities relieving financial burden of natural gas customers due to polar vortex price surge
Unusually cold temperatures from approximately February 13th-17th dramatically impacted the natural energy market. Frigid temperatures across the country caused remarkably high demand for natural gas, and also resulted in a sudden decrease in natural gas production due to frozen natural gas wells in the south. This combination caused extreme challenges and historic gas spikes across the country.
Bill Lindley, President of Clayton Energy, Emmetsburg Municipal Utilities’ energy supplier, explained that while polar vortex events have occurred before, the impacts of this event were unprecedented and unexpected. For a five-day period during this extreme event, EMU’s spot gas supply cost skyrocketed from roughly $2 per dekatherm to $203-212 per dekatherm, totaling over $926,000 for those five days alone. EMU’s total supply cost jumped from roughly $110,000 in January to over $1 million in February.
Fortunately natural gas prices have now returned to near pre-polar vortex prices, but customers will see the impact of the price surge on their March bills. Recognizing the financial burden it would cause to pass the entire cost to the customer, EMU made the unanimous decision to pay for 50% of the billing increase caused by the five-day price surge in spot gas. EMU will use approximately $463,000 of its cash reserves to subsidize customers’ bills and cushion the impact of significantly higher gas bills.
These price increases are a one-time occurrence on natural gas only and will not affect future billings. EMU understands that even with this assistance, the increase may cause hardship for customers. If you are unable to pay your bill or need some additional assistance paying, please stop in or call EMU at 712-852-2550. EMU’s doors are open, and staff will work with you to set up a payment plan.
For more information visit the City of Emmetsburg website at emmetsburg.com.
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St. Pat's is almost here! |
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An Update from the St. Pat's Association
Plans for the 61st Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration are underway! Things will look a little different this year as we take precautions for COVID-19. There will be hand sanitizing stations at the food trucks and in the tent. Social distancing and masks are strongly recommended. We are saddened to announce we are unable to host an Irish Dignitary this year due to COVID-19 and restrictions Ireland has in place. Additionally, we will not be hosting the Kids Zone this year due to COVID. Another change this year is the parade route. This year the parade will start behind the fire hall, head west on 10th Street, turn south on Broadway, then end at 16th Street. For a full list of events please head over to www.emmetsburgirishgifts.com or check out our Facebook page, “St. Patrick's Association”.
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Community Visioning Update: Public Input Opportunity
Emmetsburg is participating in the 2021 Community Visioning program with the goal of developing a landscape and transportation enhancement plan. This can include things such as parks, walking, biking, jogging, golf carting, etc. Public input is an important part of this process, and the local Steering Committee is recruiting participants for 60-90 minute virtual focus group sessions. Focus group categories include Active Recreationists (March 25th at 5:30 PM), Mobility Impaired (March 27th at 9:00 AM), and Older Adults (March 27th at 9:00 PM). Participation for each session is limited. If you are interested in participating, contact Gretchen Reichter at 712-415-1142 or greichter@emmetsburg.com. Learn more about Community Visioning at www.communityvisioning.org/emmetsburg.
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TOPS® Meeting
Wednesdays @ 4:15 PM
ISU Extension |
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VFW Friday Fish Fries (Drive-Thru Only)
Fridays from 5-7 PM @ Emmetsburg VFW
Vehicles should approach the VFW from 8th Street north of the VFW and turn into the parking lot to pick up orders from the east door of the building. Call in orders are appreciated. To place an order, call 712-298-0883 or 712-298-0903. |
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Emmetsburg Low Rent Housing Agency Board Meeting
Mar 11 at 11 AM @ The Shores at Five Island
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VFW Fish Fry Sponsored by Rotary Club
March 12 from 5-7 PM @ VFW
[Please see above] |
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Jr. Miss & Miss Shamrock Pageants
Mar 14 from 3-7 PM @ Emmetsburg Community School Auditorium
$5 Admission | Sponsored by St. Pat’s
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Classics at the Riviera Showing “National Velvet”
Mar 14 at 4:30 PM @ The Riviera
Free admission - Classics at the Riviera is sponsored by the Palo Alto County Arts Council with a grant from the Arthur & Audrey Smith. |
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St. Pat’s Celebration Festivities
Mar 18-21
Full agenda can be found at www.emmetsburgirishgifts.com.
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St. Pat’s Open House
Mar 18 from 3-5 PM @ St. Pat's Headquarters
Enjoy Irish coffee and treats
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EHS Talent Show
Mar 18 from 7-10 PM @ Emmetsburg Community School Auditorium
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Chamber Coffee hosted by St. Pat's
March 19 from 9:30-10:30 AM @ St. Pat's |
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VFW Fish Fry Sponsored by Kiwanis
March 19 from 5-7 PM @ VFW
[Please see above] |
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St. Pat's Annual Bean Bag Tournament
Mar 19 @ St. Pat's tent
Warm-up @ 5:30 PM | Tournament begins at 6:30 PM
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One Layne Band
Mar 19 from 9:00 PM to midnight @ St. Pat's tent
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O'Round the Loch Scholarship Run
Mar 20 at 8:30 AM
Sponsored by Iowa Lakes Community College
Contact Wellness Center for details: 712-852-5311
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Annual Bloody Mary Bash @ The Shores
Mar 20 from 9 AM - 1PM
$8 loaded bloody marys | $6 refills
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Chainsaw Artist - Jeff Klatt
Mar 20 at 11 AM @ Firehouse lawn
Two carvings will be auctioned at the St. Pat's event tent at 6 PM
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Famous St. Pat's Parade
Mar 20 at 1:30 PM
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Social Gathering of the Clans
Mar 20 at 3:00 PM @ Fire Station
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Free Movie - Inside Out
Mar 20 at 3:00 PM @ Riviera Theatre
Free admission | 100 people maximum |
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New Trick Band
Mar 20 from 6:30-10 PM @ St. Pat's tent |
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Auctionfest Walk-Through
Mar 26 from 3:30-7 PM @ Corrigan Hall |
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VFW Fish Fry Sponsored by Senior Citizens
Mar 26 from 5-7 PM @ VFW
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Auctionfest Online Fundraiser & Drive-Thru Dinner
Mar 27 from 5:30-8 PM @ Corrigan Hall
Drive-thru Beef Tri-Tips Dinner from 5:30-6:30 PM ($25 per plate | Pre-order by March 15 by calling Val Bormann at 712-260-1698)
Live auction feed on Facebook from 7-8 PM |
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The Emmetsburg newsletter is produced by the City of Emmetsburg Marketing & Retail Coordinator. |
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