Our Community
Looking for a new community to call home or already planning on moving to Lake City! Be sure to check out all the information this page has to offer! We can’t wait to meet you! Visit our contact page if you need further information or have questions!
Housing & Property
Residential & Commercial Tax Abatement
Residential and commercial real estate improvements may qualify for tax abatement. To qualify for tax abatement, the eligible improvement must increase the actual value by at least 15%. Applications are available at City Hall and must be filed with the City for each exemption claimed. The property owner must apply to the City for an exemption by February 1st of the assessment year the exemption is first claimed, but not later than the year all improvements are first assessed for taxation.
All applications are reviewed by City Council, and, if approved, are forwarded to the County Assessor’s office for review. The County Assessor will first make a physical review of the property, then determine the increase in the actual valuation due to the improvements, and finally, will notify the property owner of the results.
Residentially Assessed Property Exemption Schedule:
Year 1 100% of Tax Value of first $75,000 of Value Added by Improvement
Year 2 100% of Tax Value of first $75,000 of Value Added by Improvement
Year 3 100% of Tax Value of first $75,000 of Value Added by Improvement
Year 4 100% of Tax Value of first $75,000 of Value Added by Improvement
Year 5 100% of Tax Value of first $75,000 of Value Added by Improvement
Year 6 Full Tax Value of Improvement are Collected
Commercially Assessed Property Exemption Schedule:
Year 1 75% of Tax Value Abated
Year 2 60% of Tax Value Abated
Year 3 45% of Tax Value Abated
Year 4 30% of Tax Value Abated
Year 5 15% of Tax Value Abated
Year 6 Full Tax Value of Improvement are Collected
Realtors
Zoning Laws
Building permits are required in order to verify compliance with the City’s zoning ordinance. Prior to construction, such as improvements listed below, please contact city hall for information on city regulations and required permits.
- New Construction of houses, garages, sheds, commercial buildings (including modular, mobile homes, or moving a home or commercial building to a lot.)
- New accessory structures (Sheds, detached garages, swim pools, etc., including moving a shed or garage on to a lot)
- Any structural addition to an existing house or building
- Paved or blacktopped driveways, driveway additions, and parking pads
- New sidewalks and sidewalk additions.
- Exterior signage.
Ordinances
The City of Lake City would like to make you aware of a few city ordinances that often result in complaints upon violation. The complete City Code is available at City Hall and the Library for reference.
- Mowing. Requires the mowing of property within the City. Properties not mowed in accordance with the ordinance shall be mowed by the City or their agents, and billed to the property owner as established in the ordinance.
- Grass Clippings. Prohibits grass clippings from being deposited in the street. The reason for this regulation is because the grass will plug the storm sewers.
- Tree Trimming. Requires property owners to keep tree branches trimmed at least 15’ above the street and 8’ above the sidewalks.
- Tree Planting. Be sure to check with the City for rules before planting trees in the parking (area between lot line and curb line).
- Leash Law. Prohibits animals, including cats and dogs, from running at large within the city limits.
- Solid Waste Removal. Requires removal and disposal of animal feces from public property or the property of another person, such as during walks.
- Property cleanup. Please keep your property free of junk, junk vehicles. The City has junk, nuisance, and dangerous building ordinances to aid in maintaining a clean community.
- Snow on Sidewalks. If a property owner does not remove snow, ice or accumulations within a reasonable time, the city may do so and assess the costs against the property owner.
- Snow Ordinance. When snow is of sufficient depth for plowing, the ordinance shall be placed in effect. The parking ban shall continue for approximately 24-hours after the snow has stopped falling and blowing to allow for plowing of the streets. It is recommended that when snow is forecast overnight, or conditions indicate potential snow, vehicles be moved to off-street, private parking. Violation of this ordinance may result in the issuance of a parking ticket.
- Snowmobiles. Not allowed on city streets except for designated streets which serve as a snowmobile route solely for the purpose of the leaving or entering the city. Please ask at City Hall for the routes. Snowmobiles shall not be operated in any park, playground or any other publicly owned property without permission of the city. They are not to run on any sidewalk or the portion of the street commonly known as the parking nor are they allowed on private property without the consent of the property owner.
City Utilities
The monthly residential utility bill from the City includes water, sewer, storm sewer and garbage. Bills are mailed on the last working day of each month and are due by the 10th of the next month. There is an after-hours drop slot located in the entry of City Hall. If you do not receive a bill please contact city hall. If the bill is not paid by the 10th, a ten-percent delinquent charge is added to the bill. Bills unpaid by the 10th of the next month will result in a disconnect notice, with shut-off six working days after. A $15.00 disconnection fee applies to accounts shut off for nonpayment.
Water Deposits: A water deposit of $45.00 must be paid and an application for water must be filled out before service will be turned on. The deposit is held for one year and if all bills are paid by the 10th of each month it will be returned. If bills are not paid by the 10th, the deposit will be held until service is discontinued.
Garbage Hauling: The City contracts with Art Daisy of Daisy Hauling (712-464-3680) to collect residential garbage and recycling. Please contact him directly to find out your day and time of pickup. Billing is done through the City and is on your monthly water bill.
Yard Waste: Yard waste (such as leaves and tree limbs) may be burned during the authorized open burning period, after a burn permit is obtained from City Hall. The City also offers a yard waste disposal site approximately 2 miles south of Hwy 175 on Harris Avenue. The site is open approximately April-November, sunrise to sunset, 7 days/week.
Utility Contact Numbers:
| Water/Sewer/Garbage (City of Lake City) |
712-464-3111 |
| Cable Television (Mediacom) |
800-662-6022 |
| Gas and Electric service (Mid American Energy) |
800-427-5632 |
Emergency Services
POLICE DEPARTMENT
- Chief Bobby Rist
- 105 N Center Street
- 7:30 AM – 4 PM Contact Number 712-464-3111
- After-hours, non-emergency 712-297-7583
- Emergency 911
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
- Chief Melvin Alcox
- 220 N Center Street
- Emergency 911
AMBULANCE SERVICE
- The City contracts with Stewart Memorial Community Hospital in Lake City for the operation of Lake City Ambulance Service.
- Director Matt Ringgenberg
- Office 712-464-8100
- Emergency 911
Industry
Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Ltd., located on the square in Lake City, is an internationally-known maker of pipe organs. Founded by Lynn A. Dobson in 1974, the company has built 90 pipe organs for locations all over the United States, from Minneapolis to New Orleans, and Long Island to Los Angeles. They are just beginning the construction of their first international organ in London! Twenty craftsmen meticulously create each part of every custom-designed organ, which may contain as few as several hundred pipes to more than 7,000. In addition to building new organs, the company has also restored several dozen historic instruments, including the famous 1876 organ at St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville, Iowa, played during the summer of 1893 by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak. In 2003, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry named Dobson to the first annual Iowa Commerce Top 100.
Bowie International began in 1960 when Dr. M.S. Bowie became frustrated working out of his car when making veterinary calls. Bowie Manufacturing was the first to manufacture a mobile clinic out of fiberglass. While competitors have tried their best, their quality and up-to-date product design has never been successfully duplicated. Bowie is also a leader in the portable x-ray industry with generators and accessories.
Several years ago, Bowie fell under the parent company of Scranton Manufacturing and has since acquired Porta-Vet, Custom Fiberglass Coaches and Hurricane Motorsports. Their products now range from fiberglass mobile veterinary clinics for the large animal veterinarians, Animal Transport units for the animal control market used by animal shelters and police departments throughout the US, and a replica 427 Roadster with the Hurricane Motorsports enterprise.
Healthcare
Lake City offers a high-quality health care system that cares for patients from birth through elderly years. Stewart Memorial Community Hospital and McCrary-Rost Clinic offer a wide variety of health care services including emergency care, outpatient services, in-patient care, obstetrics, surgery, orthopedics, hospice and pharmacy.
The hospital employs nearly 250 health care professionals and is located along Hwy 175 on the west edge of Lake City. To learn more about the hospital and their services, log onto their website at http://www.stewartmemorial.org/
Also in the health field is the Shady Oaks Care Center staffed and ready to care for 80 residents.
Lake City is also home to a not-for-profit, human services corporation serving people with special needs, called Opportunity Living. Founded in the middle of the farming crisis of the 1980’s, Opportunity Living brought jobs and a new “can do” attitude to Calhoun County in the midst of the worst rural economic crisis since the great depression. Today, Opportunity Living employs approximately 250 people and serves 68 people with special needs in nine homes in Lake City and Rockwell City. Opportunity Living also operates under a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver license where people with special needs can live independently within the community and contract for the individual support services they need. As citizens of Calhoun County, the clients of Opportunity Living participate in community activities and contribute to the area’s economic welfare.
Additionally, Opportunity Living provides the public with a recreation center which includes an indoor pool, hot tub, gymnasium, outdoor walking trail, picnic facilities, racquet ball court, and exercise equipment. Opportunity Living also operates a retail store in downtown Lake City selling pre-owned clothing, gift and home décor items, as well as a party planning service complete with rental items. For more information and employment opportunities please call712- 464-8961, or go to the web site www.opportunityliving.org, for news and contact information.
In addition to these fine facilities, there are also two optometrists, two chiropractors, and one dentist in the Lake City area.
Schools
The Southern Cal School district has recently (beginning in Fall 2010) ventured into whole grade sharing with the Rockwell City – Lytton school district to become the South Central Calhoun Titans! The first year began with the combining of athletics. The Fall of 2011 will begin the sharing of all academics and school affiliated activities. While there are many changes to be made, this merger opens up the doors for new educational opportunities for our youth. The high school resides in Lake City and the middle school in Rockwell City. Each district has their own elementary (TK – 4th grade); Rockwell City - Lytton in Rockwall City and Southern Cal in Lohrville. Between the two school districts their approximately 800 kids in the education system.
There are always activities going on through the school from plays and fine arts concerts to endless sporting events! The school colors of purple, black and silver are proudly displayed throughout the affiliated communities. Your Titan clothing can be purchased in both Lake City (Celebrations to Go!) and Rockwell City (Drapiers Plus & Champion Chrysler). Between the two districts many awards and honors have been achieved from Football to State Jazz Band.
Churches
First American Baptist
212 S. Center – 464-3258
Pastor: John Swoyer
- 9:30 Sunday School
- 10:30 am Worship
Lake City Union (Methodist/Presbyterian)
206 W. Main – 464-3221
Pastor: Rev. Betty Weidert
- 9:00 a.m. Sunday School (Sept – May)
- 10:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal (Sept – May)
- 10:30 a.m. Worship (Sept – May)
- 10:00 a.m. Worship (June-Aug)
- Wednesdays: Gathering & Youth Group for 4th-12th graders
Woodlawn Christian
200 N. Woodlawn – 464-3290
- 9:00 Sunday School for all ages
- 10:10 a.m. Worship
- 6-7:30 p.m. Adult & Youth Bible School
- Wednesdays: Rock Solid Kidz (K-3rd)
St. Mary’s Catholic
205 N. Lloyd St. – 464-3395
Father: Father Lynn
- 5:30 p.m. Tuesday
- 8:00 a.m. Friday
- 5:00 p.m. Saturday
- 10:00 a.m. Sundays
- Wednesdays: Pre-k – 12th grade Religious Education
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
312 N. Hancock – 464-3050
- 9:30-10 a.m. Bible Discourse
- 10-11:15 a.m. Watchtower Bible Study
- Tuesdays (7-8:45 p.m.): Bible Study, Ministry School & Service Meeting
Pilgrim Lutheran
720 E. Main – 464-3130
Pastor: Craig S. Zandi
- 5:30 p.m. Saturday Worship
- 9:00 a.m. Sunday Worship
- 10:00 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Bible Study