Budget Summary
What is the City Budget?
The City Budget is Cedar Rapids’ yearly plan for how we use money to serve our community. The City balances its budget, meaning we do not spend more than we bring in.
Planning the City Budget
Work on City budgets begins up to two years before the money is spent. Each budget is finalized just months before a new Fiscal Year begins.
YOUR VOICE
MATTERS
We include the public’s priorities in many ways, including:
FY27 BUDGET PUBLIC MEETINGS (TENTATIVE)
We invite the public to join us at City Hall (101 1st Street SE) for the upcoming budget meetings:
MARCH 10, 2026 | NOON Motion to hold Property Tax Public Hearing
MARCH 24, 2026 | 4PM Public Hearing on Property Tax
APRIL 14, 2026 | NOON Motion for Budget Adoption Public Hearing
Learn more at CityofCR.com/Budget
How We Spend Money (FY26)
APRIL 28, 2026 | 4PM Public Hearing for Budget Adoption
Every dollar the City collects is allocated to services that keep Cedar Rapids safe, efficient, and prepared for future growth.
EXPENSE TERMS
PUBLIC SAFETY — Police, Fire, Building Services, and Animal Control
PUBLIC WORKS — Roads, bridges, sidewalks, and street lighting
CULTURE & RECREATION — Parks, recreation, pools, and libraries
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT — Community and economic development expenditures, including tax-increment financing
GENERAL GOVERNMENT — Administrative areas like Finance, Information Technology, City Council, City Manager, etc.
DEBT SERVICE — Repaying principal and interest on tax-supported bonds or loans for major projects
CAPITAL PROJECTS — Paying for tax-supported improvements for major public infrastructure like roads, sewers, and parks
BUSINESS TYPE — Utilities, Transit, Golf, Airport, Cedar Rapids-Linn County Solid Waste Agency, and entertainment venues
Where Our Money Comes From (FY26)
Most City revenue does not come directly from your property tax bill. It comes from a mix of financing tools.
revenue plan: $866 MILLION
proceeds of long-term liabilities, 18%
taxes, 23%
charges for services, 29%
other revenue, 11%
intergovernmental revenue, 11%
use of fund balance, 7%
fines & forfeits, 1%
licenses & permits, <1%
Property Taxes
LEVY RATE
The FY26 City Budget included a small property tax increase of $0.19 per $1,000, bringing the final rate to $16.6562 per $1,000 of a property’s taxable value
REVENUE TERMS
PROCEEDS OF LONG-TERM LIABILITIES — Proceeds from borrowed funds like bonds or the State Revolving Loan, used for major projects like flood control, watertreatment upgrades, etc.
OTHER REVENUE — Interest on savings, rent of City properties, insurance premiums, special assessments, contributions, airport parking and landing fees, etc.
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE — Funds received from federal, state, or county governments to support specific projects or programs
USE OF FUND BALANCE — Money saved in prior years
FINES & FORFEITS — Payments for violating laws or rules
LICENSES & PERMITS — Fees for regulated activities, such as building permits, alcohol licenses, and tobacco permits
$200,000 Home Value x 47.4316% State Rollback Calculation = $94,863 Gross Taxable Value
EXEMPTIONS (IF APPLICABLE) – $6,500 Homestead (65+ years old) – $4,000 Military Exemption = $84,363 Net Taxable Value
The City of Cedar Rapids receives about 39–44% of your total property tax bill, with the rest going to the County, schools, and other agencies.
All Taxing Entities
share varies by school district
CITY PROPERTY TAX LEVEE TRENDS (CITIES IN IOWA)
Every Iowa city sets its own tax rate to fund local services. Cedar Rapids stays in the middle range — not the highest, not the lowest. By planning ahead, the City continues to attract businesses and residents while maintaining strong, reliable services.
Other Revenue Sources
The City uses several tools beyond property taxes to reduce pressure on homeowners and fund community priorities.
LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX (1%)
Dedicated to street repair and maintenance
FY26 revenue: $26.2 million ( $2.2M from FY25)
FRANCHISE FEES
Charged to gas, electric, and cable utilities for use of public space
FY26 revenue: $13.2 million ( $1.4M from FY25)
UTILITIES (SELF-FUNDED)
Funds daily operations and system improvements for water, sewer, stormwater & solid waste
Average household increase: ( $7.64/month from FY25)
How Your Property Tax Dollars Work
TAX-INCREMENT FINANCING (TIF)
Generated by increased property values from new projects in designated areas
FY26 revenue: $23.2 million ( $887K from FY25)
HOTEL-MOTEL TAX
A fee paid by Cedar Rapids hotel and motel guests; supports City-owned venues and tourism-focused nonprofit grants.
FY26 revenue: $4 million (same as FY25)
OTHER SOURCES
Cedar Rapids also receives funding from a variety of other sources (shown on page 2).
Your property taxes fund the services that keep Cedar Rapids safe, clean, and running smoothly. Think of it like a dollar bill: a portion of each dollar you pay is divided among city services to keep the community operating efficiently. A home valued at $200,000, paying $1,405 in property taxes to the City, helps support the following services: