IOWA CITY

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors set Feb. 22 as the date for a public hearing on the proposed tax levy for Fiscal Year 2024.

The budget for Fiscal Year 2024 is shaping up at $146.1 million, an increase of about $7.7 million from this year.

Task askings have gone up in both city and rural areas of the county, but the actual levy rate is decreasing because the overall valuation of property is going up. That may not lead to a lower tax bill, depending on the valuation of a property.

County tax rates do not include city tax rates and school district taxes.

The public hearing for the property tax levy is one of two hearings that will be held before the FY24 budget is approved. A second public hearing, and a board vote, will be held in March for the budget itself. The new budget year begins July 1, 2023.

Tax askings are increasing 2.69% in rural areas and 4.03% in city or general areas. According to the county’s proposal, the levy rate for rural areas is decreasing from 3.69098 to 3.57115. For general services, it is going from 4.04336 to 3.90232. However, maximum levy rates can go to 3.66710 and 4.05951, respectively.

Based on a $100,000 valuation, the tax on a rural property would go up $12.26 to $878.78 while a city property would go up $4.94 to $542.81 for county taxes only, according to Dana Aschenbrenner, Johnson County Finance Director. Properties and structures located within a city are also charged city taxes.

Nearly $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds is being reallocated as a part of the budget process. Proposed plans call to increase funds for the Community Food and Farm Grant program, Veggie Rx, affordable housing and childcare.

The public hearing on Feb. 22 will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the board’s chamber in Iowa City.

Board Action

The board approved $195,000 and $105,000 subrecipient agreements with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments and Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity for housing rehabilitation and emergency home repair programs.

The board issued a proclamation in honor of Black History Month, February, resulting in comments from several speakers and supervisors.

“For me, Black history is every day,” said Supervisor Royceann Porter, who became the first Black Johnson County Chair in history last year. “I celebrate it. I celebrate Black history every day. We’ve been through so much and we’ve made so many strides in our community.”

“Racism really hurts us all as humans,” said Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz.

“We have to recognize the truly unacceptable (legislative) things that have been happening in Des Moines,” Supervisor Rod Sullivan said. “It’s time to fight back.”