Bremer County supervisors open public hearing on proposed FY27 property tax levy as resident warns of rising bills

The Bremer County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2027 property tax levy and heard concerns from county staff and at least one resident about rising local taxes.

Cassandra, county staff, presented the levy-rate overview the board will use to set the maximum levy threshold. She said general basic levy components are moving toward roughly $3.50 per $1,000 of valuation and that the general supplemental levy would remain at $1.22. Cassandra told supervisors the combined increase for general basic, general supplemental and debt service would bring in about $263,786, and rural basic only would bring in about $125,668.

Cassandra also said the county expects to draw down reserves to cover operating costs in the near term: an estimated $596,000 reduction in fund balance for FY26 and about $887,000 for the FY27 budget as proposed. She noted wages and benefits make up about 62% of some budgets and said staff will need to evaluate spending and insurance costs to make the county’s budgets sustainable.

The presentation prompted questions from supervisors about how to sustain ongoing operating costs. One supervisor pointed out recent years’ fund balances were unusually high and said the county could absorb short-term draws but must identify longer-term savings. Cassandra replied that personnel levels, insurance costs and possible state actions will affect the county’s options and that staff would continue reviewing expenditures.

Supervisors discussed potential cost-saving options, including exploring shared services with neighboring counties. One supervisor suggested reopening discussions about shared dispatch or emergency-management services and said such proposals are often better received when led by the affected department (for example, sheriffs) rather than by the board.

During public comment, Brandon Bane identified himself as a resident and said he had moved to the area from South Dakota a few years ago. "I've never been to one of these before," he said, adding that property taxes have been increasing and that he recently received a mortgage company notice that his escrow was low and his mortgage payment had risen by about $300. "Maybe we need to sell our house and move out of Waverly," he said, describing concern about affording another increase.

After the public comment, a supervisor moved and the board approved closing the public hearing. The chair noted the levy hearing addresses levy and the levy rate only; the board will set a date in April to hold the formal budget hearing where specific budget reductions or adjustments can be proposed.

No formal levy adoption vote was recorded at the hearing.