Hancock County supervisors hold hearing on proposed FY2024–25 property tax levy; residents question mailed notices

GARner, Iowa — The Hancock County Board of Supervisors met March 27, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. for a public hearing on the county’s proposed property tax levy for fiscal year 2024–25. Supervisors Florence (Sis) Greiman, Gary Rayhons and Jerry J. Tlach were present; no written comments were filed.

Auditor Michelle K. Eisenman told the board that the notice of the hearing had been published in the Summit-Tribune and the Leader, posted on the county website and on county social-media accounts, and that letters were mailed pursuant to House File 718. Eisenman said affidavits of publication are on file with the Auditor’s office.

During a short public comment period, resident Pauline Turner asked for an explanation of the budget. Supervisor Gary Rayhons explained that changes in the proposed levy reflected increases in property valuations and changes in rollback rates for agricultural and residential properties.

Resident Bud Jermeland asked for more detail about the budget numbers and said the mailed letters were confusing. Supervisor Jerry J. Tlach raised the cost of mailing the notices. Eisenman responded that the mailing requirement applied to all 99 counties and that the letters were mailed within the five-day window required by the statute.

After the brief exchange, Supervisor Tlach moved to close the public hearing; Supervisor Greiman seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously to close the hearing. With no further business, the board adjourned at 9:07 a.m. and said it would meet later the same day to consider the remainder of the budget and the total of budgeted dollars.

The hearing addressed county tax authorities including general basic, general supplemental, rural basic, rural supplemental and debt service; formal budget approvals or levy rates were not adopted at this session.