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Edgar County board puts budget and levy on display after residents push back on proposed increase
Summary
After a public hearing where residents voiced anger over rising property bills, the Edgar County Board voted to put its proposed budget and levy on public display while committing to further cuts aimed at taking the county portion below 5%.
Edgar County Chairman Jeff Boyd opened a public hearing to discuss the county's proposed fiscal-year levy and budget, telling residents the state '105%' notice can make modest increases look much larger. "That's not correct," Boyd said of the headline numbers released by the state's template, adding bluntly, "Taxes are not doubled." The board's initial levy proposal would have raised the county's total levy from about $5,071,000 to roughly $5,440,000, a 7.34% increase.
Residents pressed the board throughout the hearing, describing recent jumps in household costs and asking for clear breakdowns of what the levy funds. Andy Kirby, who identified himself from Country Cove Road, said his household costs rose sharply and asked how the board planned to address immediate affordability concerns: "Our taxes went up recently... my house payment went about $750…
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