Linn‑Mar presents preliminary FY26 tax‑rate estimate, sets public hearing for March 31

John Galbreath, chief financial officer for the Linn‑Mar Community School District, presented the board with a preliminary certified budget update focused on establishing the district's maximum tax rate for fiscal year 2026 and the schedule for public notices and hearings.

Galbreath said the district must file its maximum tax rate with the county auditor by 4 p.m. on March 5 so the auditor can include the district's information in the mailer that will be sent to property owners. Key dates outlined: March 13 — publish first hearing; March 31 — first budget hearing; April 5 — finalize property tax levies; April 13 — publish notice for second hearing; April 28 — second hearing and board action on the FY26 budget; before April 30 — file budget paperwork with the Iowa Department of Management and the county auditor.

The preliminary levy breakdown on the slide presented (figures approximate and labeled estimates) showed proposed levy components including the general fund, management levy, PPEL (physical plant and equipment levy) and debt service. Galbreath explained that 45.29% of the district levy is derived from state funding formulas, voters control about 18.36%, and the board controls roughly 36%. He cautioned that the preliminary rates show the district’s maximums and that the board can reduce rates in April after the legislature sets the Supplemental State Aid (SSA) figure.

Galbreath walked through a new property‑tax comparison required by statute: the mailer compares current‑year valuations to a statutory comparison that in this cycle uses a higher next‑year valuation (for example, a $100,000 house compared to a $110,000 valuation next year) and a $300,000 commercial example to $330,000 next year. He noted the rollback percentage and valuation comparisons are set by the state and not the district, and that the district will continue education efforts to help the public understand the mailed notice.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the comparison basis, the effect of inflation on the numbers, and when the legislature's SSA decision would be final. Galbreath and board members said the legislature missed its internal deadline for setting SSA; the board will make final levy decisions once SSA is known. Galbreath added that the proposed levy would give the district flexibility to react if SSA funding falls short.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to set a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 31, in the boardroom of the Educational Leadership Center regarding the proposed tax notices — mover: Justin; second: Madat (as recorded); outcome: approved (motion carried). Individual roll‑call votes were not recorded in the transcript.

What to expect next

The district will provide a mailer prepared by the county auditor to property owners after the auditor compiles municipal and school data. The board will hold the March 31 public hearing and a second hearing April 28, with final budget action planned at the April 28 meeting and paperwork filed before April 30. District staff plan additional Lion Learning sessions and outreach to help residents interpret the new mailer format.