Board abates taxes on parcel to support Northeast Iowa Food Bank expansion; project budget cited at $14 million

The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9 approved an abatement of property taxes for a parcel owned by the Northeast Iowa Food Bank to assist with site work related to an ongoing construction and expansion project.

Barbara (last name not specified), representing the food bank, told the board the organization purchased multiple parcels across the street from its existing facility and is using one building for storage while moving two houses to other locations to make space for expanded parking and site work. She said construction has begun—footings and drainage are in place—and the full project is expected to take just over a year, with an estimated cost of about $14 million.

The abatement request was for $11,872 in taxes on Parcel 8913‑25‑279‑006 (1645 Lafayette Street, Waterloo); staff confirmed the action covered the September 2025 and March 2026 installments for that parcel. Barbara said the food bank had paid taxes on the acquired parcels because of timing, and that it had filed for tax‑exempt status going forward for other acquired buildings. She also said the food bank serves approximately 45,000 food‑insecure people in Northeast Iowa and emphasized that remaining resources will go toward the food bank’s mission.

Supervisor questions clarified that two houses acquired will be moved by a private developer and returned to the tax roll once relocated, while one additional building will be retained as a storage/repair facility for the food bank’s operations. The board approved the tax abatement on a roll call vote during the consent/other‑business portion of the meeting.