Oct. 15--CLINTON -- The Clinton Committee of the Whole approved $4.7 million in bonding Tuesday for projects the city previously committed funding to but held off on adding to that cost until new property evaluations are completed and budget negotiations take shape in January.

The measure could result in a 72 cent per $1,000 of assessed value increase for Clinton residents but a lot can change in the next three months.

The figure presented by Finance Director Deborah Neels was based on current property values but those are set to change once the city assessor completes new evaluations in January.

If residents' property value goes up it would mean more money for the city but the matter is out of the council's hands. Either way residents property bills could see a jump.

Budget cuts are also a way city officials could lower the burden on residents but serious discussions are a ways out. How the city structures its debt also impacts the equation.

"The biggest thing I want done is for the new city administrator to work with our finance director to check out bond issues that are maturing and can be paid off so when we do these we don't raise property taxes," said Clinton Mayor Rodger Holm.

Additional revenue for the city from sources other than home owners could swing the pendulum in the other direction.

Issues such as the taxation of the Archer-Daniels Midland cogeneration plant could bring in a large chunk of money but details are still being ironed out.

Clinton officials have lowered property taxes recently. In this year's budget, the property tax rate was reduced 11 cents. That number continues the decline of the tax levy since it peaked in 2006-2007. Since that budget three years ago, the tax rate has declined 38 cents.

But what the city decides does not always mean lower bills. Hikes from the county, area colleges and local schools spurred a jump in residents' bills this year.

The $4.7 million approved by the Committee of the Whole, which still would need approval from the council, will pay for the purchase of property at the proposed Lincolnway Railport, construction costs for Liberty Square renovations and the construction costs for a new recreational trail on the north end of town.

Other projects that could be added to that list are a new fire truck, street repairs and other expenses associated with the railport.

Discussions about bonding for more money to pay for overdue needs are more rampant this year with the announcement that interest rates on federal loans are low, old bills have come off the books and the city's bond rating is in good shape.

Whether that will be enough for Clinton officials to pull the trigger on approving millions of dollars in debt to fund projects at the risk of a hike in property tax bills is yet to be seen.

The council will continue to debate the issue but a final decision won't likely occur until January.

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