Residents urge caution as Pottawattamie County holds public hearing on proposed tax levy
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Summary
At a public hearing on the proposed FY2026–27 county tax levy, multiple residents told the Board of Supervisors that rising assessed values and proposed rates will push seniors and fixed-income households to the brink; county officials said a large communications capital project and bonding, plus mandatory costs, explain the spending increase.
The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 tax levy on April 2, hearing more than a half-dozen residents describe mounting hardship from higher property-tax bills.
Several speakers told the county that even though the board lowered the levy rate in recent years, rising assessed values — set by state processes — mean homeowners still face much larger bills. Resident Blaze Martin said, "I'm on Social Security... I only got, like, a $20 raise, so it's really tough for me to pay my property tax." Other commenters said they are being priced out of their homes and urged the board and state legislators to act.
Why spending rose: residents pressed staff to explain a roughly $4.5 million spending increase, which one commenter calculated as about 10 percent. A county representative responding during the hearing said the county planned for a major communications upgrade, and that the county used reserves and bonded part of the cost: "We did have a large capital expense... we paid $10,000,000, and then we bonded for 6," the official said. County officials also cited rising mandatory costs such as insurance and salaries.
Board response and context: Supervisors repeatedly told attendees the county works to minimize levy rates. One board member said the county has lowered the tax levy in recent years but emphasized that assessment increases can still drive higher bills. The board encouraged residents to contact state legislators about changes to assessment or revenue authority and offered to help citizens identify their representatives.
What the hearing covered and next steps: The hearing was opened and closed by motion with roll-call votes; the record was closed after public comment. No change to the levy was adopted at the meeting — the hearing was an opportunity for public input before the board proceeds with formal budget work. The board later moved on to other agenda items, including proclamations and personnel matters.
Why it matters: Residents described real financial strain, especially among seniors and people on fixed incomes; the board cited constrained revenue options and one-time capital spending tied to a county communications project as drivers of the budget change. Any formal levy or budget adoption would be set in later proceedings, after required notices and additional board action.
