Town Hall · Elkader

Elkader, IA town hall & government

Elkader spent $3.9 million in the year to June 30, 2022, about $3,284 per resident.

Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Elkader's government.

Town budget

Where Elkader's money goes

Spent
$3.9 million
fiscal year to June 30, 2022
Per resident
$3,284
typical Iowa cities: $2,249
Long-term debt
$7.2 million
$6,022 per resident
Roads & transportation
$1.2 million29%
Sewer & trash
$536,00014%
Parks & libraries
$339,0009%
Police
$313,0008%
Water & other utilities
$260,0007%
Fire
$226,0006%
Administration & buildings
$104,0003%
Interest on debt
$71,0002%
Health & welfare
$25,0001%
Courts, inspections & corrections
$10,000<1%
Other
$907,00023%

Where the money comes from

  • Property taxes 30%
  • Fees & charges 23%
  • From the state 22%
  • Utility sales 9%
  • Sales taxes 7%
  • Interest, fines & other 6%
  • From the federal government 3%
  • From other local governments 1%
  • Other taxes & licenses <1%
Town workforce

Who works for Elkader

Full-time staff
12
6 part-time too
Average full-time pay
$33,500
a year, before benefits
Sworn police officers
3
full-time, with power of arrest
Roads & transportation
5 full-time
Parks & libraries
1 full-time5 part
Police
3 full-time
Administration & buildings
2 full-time
Other
1 full-time1 part

Staff on the town's payroll in March 2022. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.

Schools · school year 2023–24

Central Community School District

Elkader's K–12 school district, shared with Elkport, St. Olaf, Volga and Garber. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.

Spending per pupil
$13,104
Iowa: $13,713
Students
479
in the whole district
Long-term debt
$5.2 million
at year end

Where the district's money comes from Iowa districts overall: 43% local, 49% state, 8% federal

  • Local 45%
  • State 50%
  • Federal 5%

Of the $13,104 per pupil, $8,330 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.

Property tax

What homeowners in Elkader pay

Typical tax bill
$2,287
a year · Iowa typical $2,897
Effective rate
1.60%
of home value · Iowa 1.39%
Typical home value
$143,200
owner-occupied

The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the survey estimate has a wide margin.

Local

Contact Elkader's government

🏛️ Official websiteelkader-iowa.com ↗

Town hall & decisions in Elkader →

Beyond town hall

Who represents Elkader

Elkader is represented in Congress by Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and Representative Ashley Hinson. Kim Reynolds is governor.

All of Elkader's representatives, with contacts →

Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.

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Elkader

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