Hillsboro ponders improvements, budget

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Hillsboro City Council members Tuesday reviewed the city’s capital improvement plan and took a first look at 2024 budget priorities.

Darin Neufeld with EBH Engineering outlined the capital improvement plan.

The group discussed past and future projects on streets, the airport, water plant, sidewalks, the city walking trail, storm water drainage, sanitary sewer, and other capital improvement projects.

Street work still to be done includes paving Lincoln St. from D St. to its south end and Wilson St. from D St. to its south end, both slated for 2024.

Next on the schedule is Birch St. from Grand Ave. to D St., Cedar St. from 2nd St. to B St., and B St. from Ash to Cedar St. Those projects are slated for 2026.

The next major street work will be Adams St. from 1st St. to B St., scheduled for 2028.

Other first-priority projects are sealing and painting asphalt at the airport, replacement of portions of sidewalk, replacement of eight blocks of water lines, and lining 15 blocks of sewer pipe.

2024 budget

Council members took their first look at 2024 budget priorities.

“It’s kind of hard to believe we’re already talking about 2024 budget, but we are,” city administrator Matt Stiles said.

Stiles reviewed property taxes going to the city, the county, the school district, the state, and the extension district.

Hillsboro property owners pay a total of $1,906.70 in tax for a $90,000 home, Stiles said.

Mayor Lou Thurston said the most important factor in lowering the tax load was attracting more people.

Council members will discuss budget priorities in May, review assessed valuation estimates and consider revenue rates in June, and review a full draft budget in July.

“I’m going to assume we want to keep the rate under 43 mills,” Stiles said.

This year’s budget contains scheduled merit raises, and the city needs to consider market increases for certain positions as well, Stiles said.

“I want to get a feel for where you are at on that,” Stiles said.

Stiles said the city would continue to see effects of inflation and supply chain costs.