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Benton County holds FY27 tax-levy hearing as officials explain rate calculations and cost pressures
Summary
Benton County supervisors held a public hearing March 24 on maximum proposed FY27 tax levies. County Auditor Hayley Rippel and Assessor Larry Andreesen explained mailed notices, consolidated tax-rate calculations and valuation methods; supervisors cited rising costs and unfunded mandates.
Benton County held a public hearing on March 24, 2026 to present the maximum proposed tax levies for the county's FY27 budget, with the Board of Supervisors convening at 6:00 p.m. at the Benton County Service Center. Tracy Seeman, chair of the Benton County Board of Supervisors, opened the meeting and invited public comment and attendance via livestream.
Hayley Rippel, Benton County auditor, outlined the mailed notice taxpayers received, saying the notice is keyed to tax district type (city or township) rather than to individual parcels and that consolidated tax rates reflect amounts distributed among multiple taxing entities. She emphasized that the county can speak only to the county portion of property tax and that taxpayers concerned about city or school portions should attend those entities' hearings.
Larry Andreesen, Benton County assessor, explained how assessments and taxable valuations are calculated and how those valuations feed into levy computations. His presentation was intended to clarify the link between assessed values, taxable valuation and the resulting tax dollars attributed to the county's levy.
Supervisors Seeman, Tippett and Volz responded to taxpayer questions about spending increases and budget drivers. They listed rising insurance and fuel costs and the need to update equipment, software and hardware as contributors to higher expenditures. Board members also raised unfunded mandates as a cost pressure on county operations. The board said it had reduced the county's overall levy rate, but that growth in the county's tax base means the county will receive more total taxable dollars even with the lower levy.
A caller identified as a concerned resident phoned in to question county assets and what the caller characterized as possibly unnecessary payroll expenses, urging officials to distinguish needs from wants. County officials allowed for open dialogue but did not take any formal action on the levy amounts during this hearing.
After no further comments, the board closed the public hearing. Supervisor Tippett moved to adjourn, Seeman seconded, and the minutes record Seeman and Volz voting aye; the motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
The hearing was informational; the board did not adopt final levy figures at this session. Full resolutions and any future formal actions will be available through the Benton County Auditor's office and on the county website.
