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Linn‑Mar board sets maximum FY27 tax rate, schedules public hearing on proposed property tax notice
Summary
Board members reviewed the district—Y27 certified budget and proposed property tax notice, agreed to post a maximum tax rate to the county auditor, and scheduled a public hearing for March 30 and a Lion Learning session on March 25 to explain taxpayer impacts.
The Linn‑Mar Community School District Board of Directors reviewed the district—Y27 certified budget and agreed to establish a maximum property tax rate that will be posted to the county auditor and mailed to residents.
John, a district staff member presenting the certified budget, told the board the purpose of the process is “to establish our maximum tax rate to communicate that tax rate and the levy amount expectations to the public and to inform on the FY27 line item budget.” He outlined the timeline: maximum rate filed with the county auditor by March 5, first public hearing posted March 10–20, the first public hearing on March 30, final levies set April 5, and certification to the Iowa Department of Management prior to April 30.
John summarized levy components the district plans to include in the proposed property tax notice: the general fund (about $37.4 million), the management fund (about $4 million), board‑approved PPE and voter‑approved PPE (the latter extended through 2035), a PEARL levy (~$387,000), and a debt service levy (about $5.4 million). He reported a proposed total property tax levy of roughly $52.2 million and the combined levy rate displayed in the presentation as 17.99406.
Board members pressed staff on how the district will help residents understand the mailed tax notice. President L. Lancaster and others noted confusion among recipients; Renee said the district will include explanatory material in the district newsletter, on social media and the website, and had already placed a Gazette article. The board confirmed a Lion Learning session on March 25 at 5:00 p.m. for staff to walk residents through the FY27 tax notice.
The board also reviewed taxpayer examples included in the notice that compare current and proposed valuations (for example, a $100,000 assessed property moving to $110,000). John emphasized the numbers are preliminary and that the board can lower the maximum rate before certification if it chooses.
Next steps: the board voted to set a formal public hearing on the proposed FY27 tax notice for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 30 in the Educational Leadership Center boardroom; staff will file the maximum tax rate with the county auditor by March 5 and continue outreach ahead of the hearing.
