Witness This LLC

03/15/2026

They want you to look at the $0.03 decrease, but we need to look at the Hard Cap.
The HF 718 Trap: Iowa law now says if property values go up, the city must lower the rate. By only dropping it from $16.61 to $16.58, Davenport is doing the bare minimum. They are pushing the Consolidated General Fund to the absolute legal limit.
The Math they aren't showing you:
• Residential: They admit a 3.05% increase in what you actually pay.
• Commercial: They are hitting local businesses with a massive 10.84% increase.
• The Comparison: They say they are the “smallest increase” in the county, but that’s like saying a small fire in your kitchen is fine because the neighbor’s house is fully engulfed.
The law (HF 718) requires this hearing specifically so you can challenge the revenue growth. Ask them: “If the law was intended to provide relief, why is the City still collecting 3.05% MORE from residents while giving the Corporate Counsel a retroactive raise?”
They are trying to “brand” a tax hike as a rate cut. Bring your March 15th Tax Statement (the one that should arrive by tomorrow) to City Hall on the 25th. Let’s show them the difference between their 0.03 decrease and our actual bills. #3082

03/07/2026

03/06/2026

The "common denominator" isn't the residents complaining; it's the $10.4 million in Claims and Judgments paid out in 2025. If the legal department were performing at a level that deserves a raise, we wouldn't see a $2.1 million deficit in the Risk Management fund or a $1.2 million bill from a single outside law firm. You don't give a "retroactive raise" to the captain of a ship that's taking on water.

The 2.5% raise would be retroactive, effective Aug. 29, 2025, according to city council background documents.

02/28/2026

I was just looking at some legal drama in Wisconsin, and it’s like looking in a mirror.
The Boss Moves failing in Court:
• The No-Show Mayor: A judge just ruled that a Mayor isn't exempt from being deposed. Sound familiar? Davenport leaders act like the 1851 Charter is a “Get Out of Deposition Free” card.
• The Taxpayer Penalty: Because that Mayor didn't show up, the City (meaning the residents) has to pay the legal fees. This is exactly how our “Risk Management” fund gets drained, paying for the arrogance of leaders who won't follow the law.
• The Data Center Hustle: Just like the data center drama in Port Washington, Davenport loves to hide big business deals behind “Administrative” curtains until it's too late for us to vote.
The Investigator's Takeaway: Whether it's Port Washington or Davenport, the playbook is the same: Delay, Redact, and Charge the Resident. This is why we need a Structural Reset. We don't want a government that has to be compelled by a judge to tell the truth. We want a government that is transparent by design.

02/28/2026

Y’all... I found the receipts for the city’s favorite "ATM" (And no, it’s not at the bank.) ☕️💸
I get it, we love the drama, but have you seen the drama happening on Page 65 of the 2026 Davenport City Budget? Because it’s giving Toxic Relationship.🚩
I was digging into why a 7-mile tow costs $650, and I found out the city isn’t just covering costs, they’re making a $175,000 profit off our bad days.

The Hot Take on the Math:
• The Flex: The City pays Fred’s Towing $175k to handle the work (Page 385).
• The Shake-Down: The City expects to collect $350k from YOU (Page 65).
• The Gossip: That extra $175,000 isn't going to fix potholes. It’s going into a Risk Management fund that a judge literally called UNLAWFUL in December. (December 29, 2025 ruling by Judge Henry Latham in the Beason/Staszewski cases)💅

Why the Special Charter is the ultimate Ghoster: The reason they can do this without a vote is because of a 175-year-old law called the Special Charter. It’s basically a legal invisibility cloak. Every other city in Iowa has moved to “Home Rule” (modern transparency), but Davenport is still clinging to 1851 because it’s easier to hide the money.
The Bottom Line: You don't need AAA to fix this, you need 3,082 signatures. That’s the magic number to force a vote and finally reset this government to the 21st century.
Are we here for the gossip, or are we here to stop being the City’s piggy bank? Let’s talk. 👇