A recent Henry County Supervisor meeting residents left with more questions than answers regarding the upcoming fiscal year’s property tax changes during the first of three public hearings. The discussion revolved around the required budget statement mailing, the proposed tax budget for 2025-26, and how these changes will impact taxpayers.
At the heart of the meeting was the challenge of explaining tax rate adjustments, property assessments, and how much homeowners can expect to pay. Officials noted that while tax assessments may increase, the actual tax burden is determined by factors such as rollback percentages and levies set by local governments.
One key point of confusion was the “hypothetical” figures used in the mailing. These figures illustrate potential changes in property values but do not necessarily reflect the exact amount a homeowner’s taxes will increase. Instead, the most accurate way to estimate tax changes is to compare the “current tax rate” with the “proposed tax rate” listed in the document.
In Henry County, the current urban residential tax rate is 8.21, while the proposed rate is 9.84. This suggests an increase, but the final amount owed will depend on individual property valuations, state rollbacks, and other local levies. Officials emphasized that residential properties in Iowa cannot see taxable value increases of more than 3% due to state-mandated limits.
Additionally, new levies, such as those for emergency medical services (EMS), are contributing to the proposed increase. The EMS levy is rising from $0.45 to $0.75 per $1,000 of assessed value.
For homeowners trying to determine the exact impact on their taxes, officials advised waiting until official tax bills arrive in August. Until then, those with questions can visit the county auditor’s website, which includes breakdowns of tax allocations and levy details.
While transparency was the goal of this mailing, many residents left the meeting feeling that property taxes remain as complex as ever. The best advice? Stay informed, review your tax notice carefully, and follow up with county officials for clarification.
The second public hearing is scheduled for April 10th in the Henry County Supervisors Office.