Property Taxes

What Property Tax Does for Waukee

The Iowa property tax is primarily a tax on "real property", which is mostly land, buildings, structures and other improvements that are constructed on or in the land, attached to the land or placed upon a foundation. The City of Waukee finances nearly 60 percent of its general fund operations through property taxes, which pays for police, fire, park maintenance, government operations, library services and more. The City’s portion of the tax levy reflects approximately 36 percent of the total property tax bill. 

Property taxes are based on more than just your property value. Get all the details on the things that determine how much property tax you pay at Waukee.org/PropertyTax101. This page also helps you understand how Waukee compares to other communities in Iowa and similar cities in other states. 

Proposed City Tax Levy for FY27

For Fiscal Year 2027, the City expects to maintain its current levy at $12.80 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. Dallas County will send out a statement with proposed levies and dates of public hearings for city, county and school districts in mid-March to all property owners. On April 6, 2026, City Council will hold a public hearing for the City’s proposed property tax levy. April 20 is the public hearing for City Council to approve the proposed FY27 City Budget and proposed Capital Improvement Plan. If you have questions, please email them to communications@waukee.org. 

What does it "cost" to live in Waukee and receive City services?

For a Waukee resident owning a home with an assessed value of $400,000, it costs around $6.65 per day for City services. That's about the same as a caramel latte at your favorite coffee shop, two slices of gas station pizza or two-thirds of a child's movie ticket. With the FY27 rollback rate, it will be $6.25 per day. 

Get your City of Waukee Tax Receipt

Put your address into the search bar on this Tax Estimator to get your estimated City of Waukee Tax Receipt. It shows where the property tax dollars you pay to the City are invested into Waukee. This receipt only reflects the City portion of the consolidated tax levy and will not show the dollars you paid for Dallas County, the Waukee Community School District or any other taxing entity. The percentages in the pie chart below the estimator will be different than this tax receipt. That is because this estimator includes debt service, but the pie chart breaking out general fund program areas excludes debt service. If you have questions, email us at communications@waukee.org.

If you have a pop-up blocker on, the estimator may not work until you disable it. Type your address slowly. A dropdown list will appear for you to select the correct address.