Indianola Mayor Kelly Shaw has issued a veto on the FY2021 budget passed unanimously by the Indianola City Council at their March 25th meeting. Mayor Shaw stated in a letter to the council that:
“While I appreciate the efforts put into the making of this budget by city staff, I feel strongly that
the budget should reflect the economic and public health crises that have evolved in recent weeks.”
Among the reasons stated for the veto, Mayor Shaw said that in addition to the economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, a rise in the property tax levy will most likely not affect residents in 2021, but property owners will see a substantial increase in their 2022 fiscal year due to rising property values recently assessed by Warren County, as well taxpayers will see a Warren County increase, and other expenses such as natural gas franchise fees, wastewater fees, as well as recycling fees associated with living in Indianola increase.
As a result of the veto, the Indianola City Council can either add an item to the April 20th regularly scheduled meeting or call a special meeting to either accept or override the veto, and give direction to city staff in the event of accepting the veto. The City of Indianola FY2021 budget is required to be filed to the state by Thursday, April 30th.
The full veto document is below.