Woodbury County holds public hearing on proposed county levy; board reports reductions from notice

WOODBURY COUNTY, Iowa — Woodbury County staff and elected officials explained a proposed county tax levy, state rollback mechanics and available tax credits at a public hearing before the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors.

County staff told residents the figures on the mailed notice show a maximum levy but that the board had since reduced the county's proposed levy. Staff said the county portion of property taxes is the only levy the Board of Supervisors sets; city, school, township and other taxing authorities set their own levies and are separate from the county's decision.

The hearing focused on three technical points that many residents raised: how assessed values are set, how the state's rollback changes taxable value, and how county levies translate into dollars per $100,000 of assessed value. County staff explained the state-calculated rollback is intended to limit year-to-year statewide increases in taxable value and that the rollback changes independently of the county levy.

Staff gave specific numbers from the notice and the board's subsequent budget adjustments. Using a $100,000 residence as an example, staff said the county portion on last year's values was $330 per…