Fort Madison, IA – Fort Madison hopes a new property tax incentive will expand the city's borders.
City Manager Larry Dinwiddie says at a time when the city's tax base is shrinking, it's getting tougher to find a lot available for home construction.
He says that prompted the city council to create the 5-year incentive.
Dinwiddie says property owners whose land abuts Fort Madison's city limits would get a break on their taxes if they voluntary annex into the city.
Dinwiddie says that while the incentive had been discussed for more than a year, it was placed on the fast track after Ward 2 Alderman Chris Greenwald moved outside of city limits.
Dinwiddie says Greenwald does not have to leave office, despite the move, because the alderman is voluntarily annexing his new home into the city.
Greenwald would still live in the second ward.
You can hear more with City Manager Larry Dinwiddie by clicking the audio link above.